On April 25, every year to raise awareness against Malaria and its control, an annual event World Malaria Day is commemorated. The aim of World Malaria Day is to educate people about malaria and its prevention. It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.

In the present-day scenario where countries are suffering from COVID 19 disease, WHO (World Health Organization) urges countries to ensure the continuity of malaria services. The preventive measures like insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying, chemoprevention for pregnant women and young children, presumptive malaria treatment and mass drug administration could ease the burden on health systems in the context of COVID-19.

According to the World malaria report 2018, there were an estimated 219 million cases and 435 000 related deaths in 2017. On World Malaria Day 2020, WHO joins the RBM Partnership to End Malaria in promoting “Zero malaria starts with me”. The “Zero malaria” campaign engages all members of society: political leaders, private sector companies and communities affected by malaria, to come and fight against this deadly disease.

Some Key facts about Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites.

Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2018, they accounted for 67% (272 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.

Symptoms of Malaria

Malarial symptoms usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite. Symptoms like fever, headache, and chills are difficult to recognize at first and if not treated under 24 hrs can lead to even death.

Prevention

The prevention of malaria can be done by using Insecticide-treated mosquito nets that reduce human and mosquitoes’ contact, spraying the inside of the house with an insecticide, Early diagnosis and treatment, and Vaccination. 

Information source: https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria