Malaria Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is a vector borne disease?
disease biologically transferred through a vector (insect)
What is the global prevalence of malaria from 2013 to 2021?
2013
200 million cases globally
584,000 deaths
90% subsaharan Africa
2021
240 million cases
627,000 deaths
Malaria in Subsaharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa home to 93% of cases and 94% deaths
19 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and India carry 85% of Malaria burden
Six countries account for more than half Malaria cases
Why is Malaria such a big issue? (socio-economic, demographic)
Inhibits development as it causes high infant mortality and reduced life expectancy. This prevents a demographic dividend resulting in a higher number of elderly dependents in the future
Causes and Symptoms of Malaria
Caused by the Plasmodium parasite which is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito
symptoms - fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, sweating
Could also lead to anemia, cerebral malaria, kidney failure or death
Climate and Seasons
Mosquito’s breed in stagnant water with transmission greater during rainy season
Parasites require temperatures of 16 and 32 C and transmission located in tropical and sub-tropical regions
Why would climate change pose a threat?
May extend transition seasons and shift Malaria’s geographical range
Local environmental factors
Coastal areas - high humidity and less seasonal variation increases Malaria risk
High Altitude - reduced transmission above 1,500m due to colder temp
Land use - proximity to forested areas and irrigation projects increases transmission
Link to socio-economic factors
Housing quality - poorly constructed homes with open windows or mid walls offer little protection
Unsanitary conditions - Accumulated waste attracts mosquitos
High density occupancy
Occupation - agricultural workers more exposed
Rural vs urban - rural increased risk but urban has hotspots
Age and Gender - children under 5 most vulnerable
Income - can’t afford preventitive measures
education
Impacts on a national scale
causes 1 in 6 childhood deaths
Economic impact on national scale
40% of public health expenditure in West and central Africa is spent on Malaria
reduced tourism - loss of foreign investment
global cost of Malaria $15-18 billion annually
Country specific management
(Rwanda, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia
Rwanda reduced mortality rates by over 70% 2005 to 2015 with Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets, Indoor-residual spraying and use of drones for mosquito surveillance
Nigeria - implemented improved diagnostic services and Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets but still accounts for 25% of global Malaria cases
Sri Lanka - declared Malaria free 2016 due to aggressive surveillance and early treatment
Ethiopia - higher and urban areas cases reduced but agricultural areas still vulnerable
Programs to help combat malaria
Malaria No More - Shares stories on how Malaria affects families and how life saving bed nets and treatments have changed lives
United to beat Malaria (led by UN) - focuses on global partnerships and stories from communities where intervention has made a difference
How has United to Beat Malaria helped mitigate impact of Malaria?
Since 2006, protected 40 million from Malaria across 61 countries
Raised $75 million
In 2023 protected 715,000 people
130,000 bed nets
advocate for funding
Recent Advancements
By 2024 17 countries introduced malaria vaccines as part of child vaccinations
Challenges
Early 2025 US spending freeze on USAID Malaria Vaccine Development Program
Trump leaving WHO reducing funding
Climate change increasing geographical span of transmission zones
Resistance to preventative measures
Implementations to help combat Malaria
Insecticide treated mosquito nets - reduce transmission 90%
Indoor residual spraying - effective but also resistance developed
Mosquito coils - 24-64% effective and release harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds
Vaccines - reduced cases by 40% over 4 years
