Senate Resolution No. 3310

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 25, 2020, as Malaria Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious conditions that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 25, 2020, as Malaria Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Malaria Day; and

WHEREAS, Malaria remains both a major cause and consequence of global poverty and inequity; its burden is greatest in the least developed areas and among the poorest members of society; many of the vulnerable, especially young children and pregnant women, are not able to access the life-saving prevention, diagnosis and treatment the so urgently need; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, there were 212 new cases of malaria and 429,000 deaths in the world; and

WHEREAS, Despite the tremendous set of achievements the World Health Organization has succeeded with, approximately 3.2 billion people still remain at risk of malaria and over 200 million cases are reported annually; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the Center for Disease Control is committed to expanding proven malaria control strategies worldwide, including the distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets, rapid diagnostics tests, and intermittent preventative treatment in pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, While local transmission of malaria was eliminated from the United States in the early 1950s, the Center for Disease Control remains vigilant to detect, and help clinicians respond to, cases of imported malaria each year; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, over 1,700 cases of imported malaria was reported by United States physicians, the highest since the tracking began in 1973; rapidly responding to these imported cases is critical to saving lives and to preventing reintroduction of locally transmitted malaria in the United States; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of Malaria Day in promoting public and media attention to the seriousness of malaria, and for working to improve education about its causes and its treatment, as well as how to help those who are struggling with this debilitating condition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 25, 2020 as Malaria Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.