Malaria

Malaria is a serious, sometimes fatal, disease caused by a parasite. There are four kinds of malaria that can infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. Humans get malaria from the bite of a malaria-infected mosquito

Malaria occurs in over 100 countries and territories. More than 40% of the people in the world are at risk.

The World Health Organisation estimates that yearly 300 million cases of malaria occur and more than 1 million people die of malaria and most in Africa.

Countries with malaria click here

Manifestations: Symptoms of malaria include

• Fever
• Shaking chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Anaemia
• Jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin and eyes)
• Kidney failure
• Seizures
• Mental confusion
• Coma
• Death

Diagnose and treatment: Blood test demonstrates the parasite. Remember that malaria occur several years after transmission. Treatment is available.

Prevent malaria by:

• Use antimalaria drugs
• When outside, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
• Tuck your shirt into your pants.
• Apply insect repellent on uncovered skin and under the ends of sleeves and pant legs. Follow the instructions on the label of the repellent. The most effective repellents are those that contain the chemical DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide). The concentration of DEET varies among repellents. Repellents with DEET concentrations of 30-35% are quite effective, and the effect should last about 4 hours. Lower concentrations should be used for children (no more than 10% DEET). Repellents with DEET should be used sparingly on children from 2 to 6 years old and not at all on children less than 2 years old.
• Spray clothing with permethrin-containing insecticides. The insecticide should be reapplied after every five washings.
• Spray living and sleeping areas with an insecticide to kill insects.
• Sleep in an area that is well screened
• Sleep in air-conditioned
• Use a bed net and tuck it under your mattress
• Use a bed net that has been soaked in or sprayed with permethrin. The permethrin will be effective for several months if the bed net is not washed.