It is a disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Affected continents are AFRICA, SOUTH ASIA, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HAITI AND OTHER AREAS IN THE CARIBBEAN, EASTERN EUROPE, ISLANDS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN (OCEANIA).
4. DEFINITION OF BASIC TERMS
LIFE CYCLE
This refers to the series of changes in the life of an organism including reproduction.
MALARIA
It is a disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Affected continents are AFRICA, SOUTH ASIA, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC, HAITI AND OTHER AREAS IN THE CARIBBEAN, EASTERN EUROPE, ISLANDS IN THE
CENTRAL AND SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN (OCEANIA).
PLASMODIUM
It is a parasite protozoan of a genus which includes those causing malaria
5. UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT, MALARIA
The severity of malaria varies based on the species of plasmodium.
Malaria is caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium, which is normally spread through infected
mosquitoes. A mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected human, taking in Plasmodia which
are in the blood.
It is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through
the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide according to WHO.
The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409,000 in 2019.
Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2019, they
accounted for 67% (274,000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.
The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In
2019, the region was home to 94% of malaria cases and deaths.
6. LIFE CYCLE
Malaria is a life-threatening disease. Its typically through the
bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected
mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this
mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your
bloodstream.
Once the parasite are inside your body, they travel to the
liver, where they mature. After several days, the mature
parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood
cells.
Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red
blood cells multiply, causing the infected cells to burst open.
The parasite continue to infect red blood cells, resulting
in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three days at a
time
7. SYMPTOMS
SHAKING CHILLS THAT CAN RANGE FROM MODERATE TO
SEVERE
HIGH FEVER
HEADACHE
FATIGUE
NAUSEA
VOMITING
ABDOMINAL PAIN
DIARRHEA
ANEMIA
MUSCLE PAIN
CONVULSIONS
COMA
BLOODY STOOLS
8. PREVENTION
VECTOR CONTROL
It is a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies as it is
highly effective in preventing infection and reducing disease transmission.
The 2 core interventions are insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor
residual spraying (IRS).
PREVENTIVE CHEMOTHERAPIES
It is the use of medicines, either alone or in combination, to prevent malaria
infections and their consequences. It includes chemoprophylaxis, intermittent
preventive treatment of infants (IPTi) and pregnant women(IPTp), seasonal
malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and mass derug administration(MDA).
VACCINE
Sine October 2021, WHO also recommends broad use of the RTS,S/AS01
malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high
P.falciparum malaria transmission. The vaccine has been shown to
significantly reduce malaria, and deadly severe malaria, among young
children.
9. TREATMENT
Treatment for malaria should start as soon as possible.
To treat malaria your provider will prescribe drugs to
kill the malaria parasite. Some parasites are resistant
to malaria drugs. The type of medication and length
of treatment depend on which parasite is causing your
symptoms.
ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS INCLUDE:
ARTEMISININ DRUGS (ARTEMETHER AND ARTESUNATE)
MEFLOQUINE
ATOVAQUONE (MEPRON)
10. CONCLUSION
When these symptoms listed above are
noticed as individuals, treatments
should commence promptly and
immediately to avoid it from being
severe.