Coco-bassey Esu|27 April 2016|6:10am
To avoid a decline in the efforts to prevent and treat Malaria, World Malaria Day on 25 April is focusing to "End Malaria For Good".
1.2 billion fewer Malaria cases and 6.2 million fewer deaths globally that would have occurred had rates stayed at the 2000 level. This remarkable reduction resulted from aggressive vector control, bed net distribution, effective treatment and prevention with antimalarial agents.
To significantly and sustainably decrease Malaria burden, all relevant actors will need to adopt a more holistic approach that integrate interventions and research on Health, climate, agriculture, economic and housing in tackling the main factors contributing to the disease and its transmission.
Malaria is caused by plasmodium parasite through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes called Malaria vectors. There are 5 parasites species that cause Malaria in human and two of these species Plasmodium Falciparum and Plasmodium Vivax pose the greatest threat.
*Plasmodium Falciparum – Mainly found in Africa, it's the most common type of Malaria parasites and is responsible for most Malaria deaths world wide.
*Plasmodium Vivax – Found in Asia and South America. It causes milder symptoms than plasmodium falciparum.
*Plasmodium Ovale – Fairly uncommon and usually found in West Africa, it can remain in the liver for several years without producing symptoms.
*Plasmodium Malariae – This is quite rare and usually found in Africa.
*Plasmodium Knowlesi – This is very rare and found in part of South East Asia.
Plasmodium Ovale, Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium Malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi are not life threatening except in the very young, very old and people with immunodeficiency.
BREEDING PATTERNS OF THE MOSQUITO.
Changes in climate will affect the breeding pattern of mosquitoes. During the wet season in tropical areas, there is an increase in the number of breeding sites for the mosquitoes and an increase humidity but if the temperature is under 20 degree, breeding is reduced.
INCUBATION OF THE PARASITES IN HUMAN BLOOD.
*Plasmodium falciparum :9-14 days.
*Plasmodium Vivax :12 – 18 days.
*Plasmodium Ovale :12 – 18 days.
*Plasmodium Malariae :18 – 40 days.
*Plasmodium knowlesi :9 – 12 days.
AT RISK GROUPS.
*Children and babies are a very vulnerable groups as they depend on their parents to adopt precautions to prevent insect bites.
*Pregnant women should be advised that Malaria could increase the risk of premature labor and still birth.
*Asplenic patients (without a spleen) are at risk for Malaria.
Plasmodium falciparum may cause cerebral Malaria, a serious complication resulting from inflammation of the brain that may cause coma.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
-Fever, which may come and go, or may be constant..
-Chills
-Profuse sweating
-Feeling of unwell ness.
-Muscle and joint pain.
-Headache and confusion. etc
PREVENTION OF MALARIA.
Apply insect repellents regularly in cream, spray or gel form that contain diethytoluamide.
-Sleep under a net impregnated with premethrin.
-Use coils and mats impregnated with insecticides in closed rooms to repel mosquitoes
.-Environmental sanitation to discourage breeding of mosquitoes.
TREATMENT.
Recognized early Malaria infection can be completely cured. Treatment usually lasts for 3 to 7 days depending on the medication type.
Coco-Bassey Esu
Media & Publicity Aide to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, CRS
