Existing vaccines work against viruses and bacteria, but the parasite that causes malaria is a more complex type of organism.

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Children under the age of 5 die from asphyxia at birth, sepsis, pneumonia, malaria and other causes.

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The report also cited indirect causes such as anemia, malaria and heart disease.

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The World Bank and other donors showed last month that they were ready to intensify the fight against malaria, a disease that causes misery in Africa.

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In the 1950s Anthony Allison, a British biochemist, observed that Africans who carry a single copy of the genetic mutation that causes sickle-cell anaemia are protected against malaria.

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Malaria, diarrhea and measles are among the biggest causes of death.

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The World Bank, as part of its campaign against poverty's causes and effects (see article), vowed a few years ago to boost malaria funding, but the money proved to be a trickle.

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Interestingly, the death rates of children from all causes have gone down faster, often when the only intervention has been an insecticidal bednet or a malaria treatment.

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