研究人员担忧疟疾疫情再起

全球疟疾病例总数在十年来首次停止下降，这让研究人员们对这种会致命的疾病再度流行的可能性表示担忧。

There have been dramatic successes in combating malaria over the past 20 years. The number of cases has dropped by 60 per cent and six countries have eliminated it. But figures released at the end of last year show an increase which has shocked experts. They warn it could signal the resurgence of the disease.

Young children are the most at risk. It's thought one child dies every minute from malaria. Developing resistance to drugs and insecticides is part of the problem but funding levels have also reduced.

Campaigners say a new strategy is required. More money for research and data-gathering technology will help experts target the worst affected areas but they say government commitment is vital to prevent malaria making a comeback.

在过去的20年间，人们在抵御疟疾上取得了巨大的成功。疟疾病例的总数下降了60%，而且有六个国家已根除此病。但在去年底发布的数据却显示，该病例总数有所增长，这震惊了相关专家。他们警告说，这可能预示着该疾病将卷土重来。

幼儿面临的风险最大。据说每过一分钟就有一个孩子死于疟疾。对药物和杀虫剂产生抗药性是问题之一，但与此同时，针对疟疾的研究资金也有所降低。

致力于抗争疟疾的人士表示，我们需要一个新策略。为研究和数据收集技术投入更多的经费将帮助专家针对受疾病影响最严重的地区开展工作，但他们说政府的承诺对防止疟疾再度流行来说至关重要。