The World Health Organization (WHO) would like to make you aware of the following facts:
- Malaria is the second biggest killer in Africa after AIDS.
- Half of the world’s population – approximately 3.2 billion people – are at risk of contracting malaria.
- A child dies every minute from malaria.
- 90% of malaria related deaths occur in Africa.
- Pregnant women and newborns are particularly vulnerable to malaria.
With the outbreak of the Zika virus throughout Latin America, these pesky insects have once again dominated headlines. But, unlike malaria, the zika virus is generally not lethal.
Yes, malaria is still very much prevalent in Africa and the statistics are alarming. South Africa reported about 11 700 cases of the disease in 2014 but, according to the WHO – about 6 countries in the region – including South Africa – has the potential to eliminate malaria by 2020!
World Malaria Day is marked each year on 25 April. It offers an annual opportunity to highlight advances in malaria control and to commit to continued action to accelerate progress against this deadly disease. So, brush up on your knowledge and spread the word.
How do you get malaria?
Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted from person to person by the bite of the infected female Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes usually bite from around dusk to dawn. Once transferred to the human body, the infection travels to the liver where it multiplies and then enters the red blood cells.
Inside the red blood cells the parasites multiply rapidly until they burst, releasing even more parasites into the blood stream. Remember: Not all mosquitoes cause malaria.
Is malaria treatable?
Yes, but malaria infected patients need to be reached quickly. That’s part of the problem. The remote nature of many parts of Africa and other affected regions, the difficulty of recognising that a patient has contracted the disease, and the lack of available medicines; contribute to effective treatment not starting quick enough. The result: Too many people die.
Malaria begins as a flu-like illness, with symptoms first occurring 9-14 days after infection. Symptoms include fever, sweats, joint pain, headaches, frequent vomiting, convulsions and coma. If malaria is left untreated, it can become severe and lead to damage to vital organs, or death.
What are the strategies to fight malaria?
Prevention and treatment are complimentary tactics used to fight malaria.
Prevention is achieved through:
- The use of bed nets preferably treated with insecticide. One bed net can protect 2 people for up to 3 years.
- Removing areas of water where mosquitoes breed.
- House spraying with insecticide.
- Educating people as to the value of all these actions to help prevent malaria.
- Monitoring mosquito populations to understand which insecticides they are sensitive to.
All these tactics dramatically reduce incidents of malaria.
Treatment includes:
The use of relevant and effective drugs, as well as the availability of those drugs in a timely fashion, is key. Unfortunately the malaria parasite has become resistant to many drugs, such as Chloroquine, which have been used to treat malaria in the past. Continuous and substantial research is needed in the fight against malaria.
If you plan to travel to malaria risk areas in South Africa, make sure to take the necessary precautions. Consult a health care professional for the latest advice on malaria prophylaxis as it changes regularly.
Malaria can certainly be reduced to dramatically lower levels. Increased prevention and control measures have led to a 60% reduction in malaria mortality rates globally since 2000.
South Africa was praised by United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, as one of the 14 countries to receive recognition for its fight against malaria during the 2016 African Leaders Alliance Meeting on the 30th of January in Ethiopia. Well done South Africa!
Source: allafrica.com, www.southafrica.info, www.msf.org.za, www.mhss.gov.na, www.afro.who.int, www.who.int, www.health24.com, www.savenues.com, www.againstmalaria.com, plancanada.ca, www.netsforlifeafrica.org
