International researchers say one-third of malaria cases in babies in Africa could be prevented if they were given anti-malarial drugs before they become infected.

A few injections during the first months of life would mean the infants could build up resistance to the disease. The risk of the parasites responsible for infection becoming resistant to the drugs would also be lessened. The researchers point out that innoculation cannot solve the problem of malaria but that it works well in combination with standard treatments.

It is estimated that 247 million people are infected with malria, with the vast majority of patients being African children under five years of age. The disease kills about one million people every year.

Photo: malaria hospital in Central Africa (flickr.com / hdptcar)