Every year, April 25 is observed as World Malaria Day. Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused in people by parasitic bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The 2 of species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat in humans for malaria. Malaria is preventable and curable.

World Malaria Day 2021: Reaching the Zero Malaria Target

This year, WHO and partners will mark World Malaria Day by celebrating the achievements of countries that are approaching – and achieving – malaria elimination and that’s why the World Malaria Day 2021 theme is Reaching the Zero Malaria Target. This will be an inspiration for all nations that are also working to eradicate the deadly disease and improve the health and livelihoods of their populations.

Symptoms of Malaria

Symptoms of Malaria appear after 10–15 days of an infective mosquito bite. The first symptoms – fever, headache, and chills – may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria but if not treated within 24 hours, it can lead to severe illness, often leading to death. infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, and patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as non-immune migrants, mobile populations, and travelers, are at more risk of getting malaria.

How Anopheles Mosquito transmit Malaria?

Anopheles mosquitoes lay their eggs in water (Stagnant water is more preferable), eggs hatch into larvae and then emerge out as adult mosquitoes. To nurture the eggs, the female mosquitoes seek a blood meal. Malaria spreads when a mosquito becomes infected with the disease after biting an infected person, and the infected mosquito then bites a non-infected person. The malarial parasites enter the person’s bloodstream and travel to the liver cells. When the parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect red blood cells. Malarial transmission is more intense in places where the mosquito lifespan is longer and where there are more humans to bite.

How Malaria can be prevent?

Vector control is the main way to prevent and reduce malaria transmission

Sleeping under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) is also preferable. It can reduce contact between mosquitoes and humans by providing both a physical barrier and an insecticidal effect.

Insecticidal sprays in home are also a powerful way to reduce malaria transmission.

Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents deaths.

Information Source: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-malaria-day

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