Doctors from the World Health Organisation say they have discovered new methods of protecting against malaria which could lead to a drastic cut in the number of deaths from the disease, particularly in Africa.

In a BBC interview, WHO doctor David Nabarro said treating bed netting with a new insecticide called permethrin had resulted in a 40% reduction in the number of deaths from malaria during studies across Africa.

The WHO is launching a new initiative to combat the disease called Roll Back Malaria in the United States on Friday, publicising new drugs which can reduce the severity of malaria, particularly in children.

The initiative, which is supported by the World Bank, aims to offer health programmes tailored to the needs of countries affected by malaria.

There are an estimated 300-500m cases of malaria annually, killing an estimated 1.5-2.7m people. Over 90% of malaria deaths occur in Africa where nearly 3,000 people - mostly children - die each day.

Number one priority

Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, WHO director general, said: "Malaria is the number one health priority of people and leaders in affected communities and countries, but their voices have not been heard.

"The human suffering is unacceptable and so is the economic burden and impediment to progress. Africa and other regions with malaria are responding and we must answer their call."

Roll Back Malaria will not only develop and publicise new drugs and treatments, but will also attempt to strengthen health services in affected areas.

UNICEF executive director Carol Bellamy said: "The new strategy will be most effective when families, communities, local leaders and other groups, such as shopkeepers and schoolteachers, become fully committed and involved in the effort."

Unlike most other major diseases, malaria is spreading. As roads are built, forests cut down, new mining areas opened up, habitats which favour the breeding of mosquitoes expand.

Africa targeted first

Roll Back Malaria will target Africa as a top priority. The aims of the campaign are to:

• Upgrade health delivery systems at both the local and national level;
• Intensify use of bednetting to prevent night-time biting by malaria-carrying mosquitoes;
• Map malaria regions so that resources can be better targeted;
• Develop new drugs for victims already infected with malaria;
• Co-ordinate the development and testing of new malaria drugs and vaccines;
• Develop methods to tackle malaria outbreaks in refugee and post-war situations

Most victims of malaria die simply because they do not have access to health care close to their home, or their cases are not recognised by health professionals.

In Africa, Roll Back Malaria will create a network of teams to go into villages and analyse treatment and prevention practices; the availability and quality of health care by the public and private sector, and potential local partners.