Know About Malaria
Malaria is one of the major public health problems in our country. Out of 64 districts, 13 bordering districts in the east and northeast facing the Indian states of Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya and part of Myanmar belong to the high-risk malaria zone. There are a number of issues and challenges responsible for the persistence of the problem of malaria in the countries of the Region which includes Health System , Socio-economic Condition, Technological problem, management and more. A total of 14.7 million populations are at high-risk of malaria in the country, although there is sporadic incidence of malaria in other parts of the
Many focal epidemics occur each year in our country, most of these are not even reported. The last major epidemic occurred in 1993. With the limited resources our country (Govt and private level) has developed plans to strengthen epidemic preparedness and response at national, district and Upazila levels through development of capacity. It exacts a heavy toll of illness and death - especially amongst children and pregnant women. It also poses a risk to immigrants and travelers too, with imported cases increasing in non-endemic areas. Treatment and control have become more difficult with the spread of drug-resistant strains of parasites and insecticide-resistant strains of mosquito vectors. Health education, better control tools, better case management, more resources (Drugs, Hospitality) and concerted action are needed to limit the burden of the disease. Numerous epidemiologic and ecologic factors play a vital role in
Clinical Features: The sign/symptom of malaria vary. A poor general condition, feeling unwell and having headaches like influenza is the primary sign for malaria. The classic/ most common symptoms include persistent fever, headaches, joint pains, and shivering and followed by repeated vomiting. Severe and complicated form of malaria also cause renal failure, hypoglycemia, anemia, pulmonary edema, shock and coma can also have fatal consequences, leading to death. Malaria can be cured if promptly diagnosed and adequately treated.
How do you catch malaria?
Mainly from biting of Anopheles mosquito The parasites develop in the intestine and salivary glands of the mosquito and can be passed on to other people the next time the mosquito bites.
In man, the parasite travels to the liver via the blood and then out into the bloodstream again where it invades the red blood corpuscles (the cells which carry oxygen in the blood). Malaria can also be passed on by blood transfusions and the use of infected needles.
Possible causes of malaria epidemics:
1) Cyclical variations and seasonal variations of malaria (Usually it outbreaks in our region take place every 7-9 years, malaria season starts in May)
2) Insufficient capacity in epidemic preparedness and lack of response due to reorganization and decentralization of malaria control programme.
3) Relaxation of the control programme because of continuous decrease of malaria incidence country-wide over the past decade.
4) Withdrawal of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in malaria endemic areas where transmission have ceased for at least 3 years.
How we can Control Malaria:
Integrated vector management (IVM) – That means control of mosquito
The key to treat malarial Patient is Early case detection and prompt treatment.
Containment of focal epidemics (Isolate the Infected Person also helpful to control malaria)
Diagnosis by microscopy should continue to be strengthened since complete treatment of malaria should be done with combination drugs that are effective. These drugs are expensive and their indiscriminate use may also render these drugs ineffective.
Preparedness is the key to timely prediction, recognition and prompt control of focal epidemics of malaria. Admission to hospital is the safest way to treat malaria.
Source: WHO, MEDICAM
