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THE DISEASE THREAT THAT MALARIA REPRESENTS - A Disease Fact File
Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease that predominantly occurs in the tropics. Malaria is caused by infection with plasmodium protozoa transmitted by infective female Anopheles mosquito vectors. Individuals with Malaria may present with fever and a wide range of other symptoms. There are 5 plasmodium species known to cause Malaria in humans. Of those, two— Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax—are responsible for most new Malaria infections.
Individuals with Malaria typically acquired the infection in an endemic area following a bite by an infective mosquito vector. The vector, the Anopheles specie mosquito, transmits plasmodia that are contained in its saliva, into its host while obtaining a blood meal. The plasmodia enter circulating erythrocytes, RBCs that feed on the hemoglobin and other proteins within the blood cells. The Malaria-carrying female Anopheles specie mosquitoes tend to bite only between dusk and dawn. The protozoan brood replicates inside the cell and induces RBC cytosis, causing the release of toxic metabolic by-products into the blood stream that the host experiences as flu-like symptoms.
Malaria infestation was endemic in the southern United States of America, USA until the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has since been eradicated. Almost all US cases of Malaria infection currently are imported from patients traveling from Malaria-endemic areas in especially tropical geographical climate regions of the world into the USA. In very rare cases in the USA, infections in individuals who have not travelled have occurred near airports--the so-called airport Malaria. This is secondary to a local mosquito becoming infected through a blood meal from an infected traveler to the USA or the arrival of an infected mosquito aboard a plane. When the mosquito takes a blood meal from a local resident, it then transmits the infection.
Individuals with Malaria typically acquired the infection in an endemic area following a bite by an infective mosquito vector. The vector, the Anopheles specie mosquito, transmits plasmodia that are contained in its saliva, into its host while obtaining a blood meal. The plasmodia enter circulating erythrocytes, RBCs that feed on the hemoglobin and other proteins within the blood cells. The Malaria-carrying female Anopheles specie mosquitoes tend to bite only between dusk and dawn. The protozoan brood replicates inside the cell and induces RBC cytosis, causing the release of toxic metabolic by-products into the blood stream that the host experiences as flu-like symptoms.
Malaria infestation was endemic in the southern United States of America, USA until the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has since been eradicated. Almost all US cases of Malaria infection currently are imported from patients traveling from Malaria-endemic areas in especially tropical geographical climate regions of the world into the USA. In very rare cases in the USA, infections in individuals who have not travelled have occurred near airports--the so-called airport Malaria. This is secondary to a local mosquito becoming infected through a blood meal from an infected traveler to the USA or the arrival of an infected mosquito aboard a plane. When the mosquito takes a blood meal from a local resident, it then transmits the infection.
According to the latest World Malaria Report released in November 2018 by the WHO, there were 219 million cases of Malaria infection in 2017, up from 217 million cases in 2016. The estimated number of Malaria-caused deaths stood at 435,000 in 2017, a similar number to the previous year. According to the WHO (WHO, 2019) the African region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global Malarial burden. In 2017, the region was home to 92% of Malaria cases and 93% of malaria deaths. In 2017, 5 African countries accounted for nearly half of all Malaria cases worldwide in the following proportions—Nigeria (25%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC (11%), Mozambique (5%), and Uganda (4%). India was reported to have carried a proportion burden of 4%.
Populations that are at an increased risk for mortality due to Malaria include primigravida individuals, travelers without immunity, and children under 5 years of age who are the most vulnerable groups affected by Malaria. In 2017, children accounted for 61% (266,000) of all Malarial deaths worldwide. Male and female children are affected equally.
Malaria symptoms can be categorized into:
Populations that are at an increased risk for mortality due to Malaria include primigravida individuals, travelers without immunity, and children under 5 years of age who are the most vulnerable groups affected by Malaria. In 2017, children accounted for 61% (266,000) of all Malarial deaths worldwide. Male and female children are affected equally.
Malaria symptoms can be categorized into:
- Uncomplicated: this usually manifests as a flu-like illness with fever, headache, malaise, fatigue, muscle aches and diarrhea.
- Severe Malaria: manifesting as cerebral Malaria, severe anemia, respiratory symptoms and renal failure.
The WHO recommends that all cases of suspected Malaria be confirmed using parasite-based diagnostic testing—either microscopy or rapid diagnostic test—before administering treatment. Therefore, if you suspect that you have Malaria infection, it is advisable that you present yourself to a hospital for proper diagnosis or a nearby pharmacy for quick diagnosis using the rapid diagnostic test. Avoidance of self-medication sequel to self-diagnosis is not recommended.
Individuals can implement the tips below to protect themselves from Malaria infection:
- Indoor spraying with insecticides.
- Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito net.
- Getting prophylaxis prescription from your physician or pharmacist if you are traveling to Malaria endemic areas.
- Vaccination treatment as a preventive option is in view given that the vaccine is still under development.
Analysis of the statistical data as presented by the WHO indicates that Nigeria carries 25% share of the global Malaria burden based on the report released in November 2018. This places Nigeria as the number one must Malaria endemic country in Africa. With this in mind, it is clear that the fight against Malaria in Nigeria must remain a joint commitment, involving the government, the private sector, the general public and relevant stakeholders—all have a part to play in order to make the fight against Malaria a success story in Nigeria.
Our Role in the Fight Against Malaria
Rosemund Pharmaceuticals Limited is in the lead in this fight. That’s exactly why we are quite poised to educate the general public on self-protecting measures against Malaria infection through awareness campaign and also through providing access to a pharmaco-therapeutic agent, LUMALAR-CQ, to relevant stakeholders to help in the treatment of persons infected with Malaria. LUMALAR-CQ is duly registered by the NAFDAC for distribution and use in Nigeria.
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