10 malaria facts
In this article we will describe 10 facts about malaria.
Plasmodium malariae
Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. If it is not diagnosed and treated quickly, you can die from some types of it.
A single mosquito bite is all it takes for someone to become infected.
1. Cause
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
2. Types of plasmodium
There are five species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. P. falciparum is the most deadly.
3. Symptoms
Common symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and fatigue. Severe cases can lead to complications including anaemia, cerebral malaria, and organ failure.
4. Global impact
Malaria is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and parts of Central and South America. Africa bears the highest burden of malaria cases and deaths.
5. Mortality rate
In 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide, with about 627,000 deaths. Children under five years old are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria.
6. Prevention
Preventive measures include using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying with insecticides, and taking antimalarial drugs. Personal protective measures like wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent are also important.
7. Treatment
Malaria is treatable with antimalarial medication. The type of drug and duration of treatment depend on the species of Plasmodium causing the infection and the severity of the disease. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are commonly used for P. falciparum malaria.
8. Vaccine development
The RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) vaccine has been developed and approved for use in children in high-risk areas in Africa. It provides partial protection against P. falciparum malaria.
9. Drug resistance
Resistance to antimalarial drugs, particularly chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, is a significant challenge in malaria control. Efforts are ongoing to monitor and manage drug resistance.
10. Economic impact
Malaria imposes a significant economic burden on endemic countries due to healthcare costs, lost productivity, and negative effects on tourism and investment. It is estimated to cost Africa $12 billion annually in lost GDP.
Summary
We have described 10 malaria facts. We hope it has been helpful.
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