Senate Resolution No. 423

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 25, 2021, 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, 2021, 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, 2021 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.