Tag Archives: Malaria

World Malaria Day (25th April 2018)

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“Ready to Beat Malaria”

World Malaria Day has become a global phenomenon and is celebrated on 25th April every year since its inception in 2007. This year’s global theme for World Malaria Day is ─ “Ready to Beat Malaria”. This theme encloses the universal goal of developing a malaria-free world. Further, it emphasizes the progress achieved in the past to tackle one of humanity’s oldest diseases; and at the same time grabs our attention towards the escalating trends reported in the 2017 World Malaria Report. After a remarkable period of success in controlling the spread of malarial cases, the progress appears to have slowed down. Hence, this year, World Health Organization (WHO) demands a greater expansion and investment of recognized tools that can prevent, diagnose, and treat malaria.

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to people through bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes (malaria vector). Initial symptoms include mild fever, headache, and chills, which might become lethal if left untreated for more than 24 hours. Severe malaria often leads to development of cerebral malaria or severe anaemia or involvement of multiple organs.

Statistical Facts according to the 2017 World Malaria Report:

  • In 2016, 216 million cases of malaria were estimated in 91 countries, corresponding to a surge of 5 million cases over those reported in 2015.
  • A total of 445,000 fatality cases were reported in 2016 compared to 446,000 in 2015.
  • In 2016, African regions shared a high global malaria burden, with 90% of malaria cases and 91% of mortality cases.
  • In 2016, India reported 6% of the world’s new malaria cases.

Prevention:

Transmission of malaria can be prevented and reduced with effective vector control. Vector control can be achieved in the following ways:

  • Insecticide-treated mosquito nets: WHO recommends the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for people residing in areas at high risk of malaria. Pyrethroids are the only class of insecticides presently recommended for use in LLINs.
  • Indoor residual spraying with insecticides: This is a powerful method for rapid reduction of malaria transmission. The effect of indoor spraying persists for 3-6 months, depending on formulation of the insecticide used.
  • Antimalarial drugs: The travelers can use chemoprophylaxis as an effective method for prevention of malaria, as it suppresses the blood stage of malarial infections. WHO recommends the use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for pregnant women at risk, and monthly courses of amodiaquine in addition to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for children at risk below 5 years during high transmission season.
  • Vaccines: Partial protection in children can be achieved by administration of an injectable vaccine “Mosquirix”. The vaccine is a complementary malaria tool rather than a replacement for treatment strategies.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

The diagnosis and treatment of malaria at an early stage limits transmission of the disease, reduces the risk of complications, and prevents death. Parasite-based diagnostic testing (either microscopy or rapid diagnostic test) is suggested by WHO prior to administering the treatment. Post-parasitological confirmation, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is used for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to spread awareness about malaria and strategies for its prevention, to aid ‘World Health Assembly’ achieve the global target of reducing 90% of incidence and mortality rates by 2030. Turacoz is a medical communications agency, which offers services to healthcare professionals in clinical research and regulatory writing, publication writing, medico-marketing writing, and support for conducting medical advisory board meetings.

World Malaria Day : Understanding Malaria

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Malaria is a serious life-threatening parasitic disease caused by parasites known as Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax), Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum), Plasmodium malariae (P.malariae) and Plasmodium ovale (P.ovale). Its transmission takes place through the infective bite of Anopheles mosquito. Man develops this disease after 10–14 days of being bitten by an infective mosquito.

Every year April 25 is celebrated as “World Malaria Day” across the globe in an effort to provide effective control of the disease. This occasion also provides a common platform for the affected countries to share experiences, showcase technologies and collaborate in programs in the fight against malaria.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA

Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Infection with one type of malaria, P. falciparum, if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death.

POPULATION AT RISK

In 2015, approximately 3.2 billion people—nearly half of the world’s population—were at risk of malaria.

Maximum number of malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Asia, Latin America, and, to a lesser degree, the Middle East, are also at risk. In 2015, 97 countries and territories had ongoing malaria transmission.

DISEASE BURDEN

  • According to the latest WHO estimates, released in December 2015, there were 214 million cases of malaria in 2015 and 438,000 deaths.
  • Between 2000 and 2015, malaria incidence among populations at risk reduced by 37% globally; during the same period, malaria mortality rates among populations at risk registered a decline by 60%. An estimated 6.2 million malaria deaths have been averted globally since 2001.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa continues to contributethe highest share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region accounted for 88% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR CONTROLLING MALARIA

  • Taking antimalarial drugs to kill the parasites
  • Eliminating places where mosquitoes breed
  • Spraying insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes that come inside
  • Sleeping under bed nets—especially effective if they have been treated with insecticide, e.g. insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and
  • Wearing insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing if out of doors at night.

CURRENT SCENARIO OF MALARIA VACCINE

  • Effective malaria vaccine could helpeliminate and eradicate malaria; there are currently 63 vaccine candidates, 41in preclinical and clinical stages of development.
  • Vaccines are being designedto target pre-erythrocytic stages, erythrocytic stage or the sexual stages ofPlasmodium taken up by a feeding mosquito, or the multiple stages
  • Twovaccines in preclinical and clinical development target falciparum; and themost advanced candidate is the pre-erythrocytic vaccine RTS,S which is inphase-III clinical trials.
  • RTS,S/ASO1 is the first malaria vaccine to have completed pivotal Phase 3 testing and obtained a positive scientific opinion by a stringent medicines regulatory authority.
  • Collaborators of RTS,S Clinical Trials Partnership showed that RTS,S/AS01 prevented a substantial number of cases of clinical malaria over a 3–4-year period in young infants and children when administered with or without a booster dose. Efficacy was enhanced by the administration of a booster dose in both age categories. Thus, the vaccine has the potential to make a substantial contribution to malaria control when used in combination with other effective control measures, especially in areas of high transmission.

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