🦟🥶🤒🥵🌡️🤢🤮😫🙆🏾♀️🤕👩🏾⚕️💊💉🔬🥼-Mosquitoes, Man and Malaria- Beyond World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day (25th April of every year) may have passed, but the fight against malaria continues daily.

This year's theme, "Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world," highlighted the disparities in access to prevention and treatment, particularly for at-risk persons, underserved communities and vulnerable populations.

According to evidence available, more than 50% of hospital out-patient clinic visits are attributed to malaria in endemic countries with over 200 million cases annually worldwide.        

A critical aspect that often goes unnoticed in malaria prevention is information and education on specific protection before travel to a destination with malaria transmission.

I remember very clearly when I worked at one of the best multi-specialist facilities and one of three JCI accredited private hospitals in West Africa. A foreign national, who had been brought via the emergency room, ended up in the Intensive care unit. He had never been to a malaria endemic country, and got bitten by mosquitoes, while working at an engineering site.

Less than two weeks after his entry into the country he developed symptoms suggestive of malaria but used only mild analgesia. He did not get better and was eventually rushed to the ER, when his symptoms worsened and the illness became severe.

This person developed ALL the textbook symptoms of severe malaria I was taught in medical school, I must say it was indeed scary; however he received excellent care via efforts of the ICU team at Iwosan Wellness Lagoon Hospitals and was discharged after about 10 days on admission. That experience as a physician, managing Malaria in a non-immune person, helped me appreciate how life threatening malaria can be, and how serious an issue health education about malaria prevention should be.

Most countries where malaria is endemic are open to travel, tourism and trade. Tourists, migrant workers, and displaced communities are at significant risk of severe illness or death from malaria due to lack of prior exposure and immunity.

Certain individuals lack the full capacity to fight off malaria infections, making them highly susceptible to severe illness and include children less than 5 years of age and pregnant women.         

Other vulnerable persons include -

People with sickle cell disease: This genetic condition can worsen significantly with malaria infection, requiring immediate medical attention.

The elderly: Their weakened immune systems make them more vulnerable to complications from malaria.

Institutionalized populations: Those living in overcrowded settings like refugee, internally displaced persons camps or prisons face a higher risk of mosquito bites and malaria transmission.

Homeless populations: Limited access to proper shelter and sanitation increases their exposure to malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

Additionally, Climate change adds another layer of complexity. Rising temperatures and altered weather patterns are impacting mosquito behavior, potentially expanding their range and increasing transmission rates. Environmental degradation also plays a role, creating breeding grounds for these vectors.

How can we accelerate the fight against malaria?

Vector Management: Implement strategies affordable and sustainable strategies beyond the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal nets (LLINs). Use of creative solutions like mosquito repellant house painting, planting of repellant plants that repel the vector, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and consistent larval source management to control mosquito populations should be explored.

Expanding access to information about chemoprophylaxis and preventive medication for high-risk groups like non - immune traders, tourists, travellers and pregnant women are very crucial especially for expectant mothers as, inequities may exist with access to intermittent preventive treatment with malaria prevention medication. In countries where the Malaria Vaccine is available, children less than 5 years of age, should be vaccinated.

Environmental Management: Reduce mosquito breeding grounds by promoting proper sanitation and refuse disposal.

Health Education and Travel advisory information: Educate communities, especially non-immune populations, about malaria symptoms, prevention measures (like using safe mosquito skin repellent creams, insect repellents/ insecticides and wearing long sleeves/pants at dusk and dawn), diagnostic options and the importance of seeking prompt treatment and the importance of malaria prevention before travelling to malaria endemic regions.

By investing in these strategies, we can create a more equitable world where everyone is protected from the potentially devastating effects of malaria.

#malaria #mosquitoes #malariaprevention #healthpromotion #healtheducation  #epidemiology #publichealth #worldmalariaday #worldmalariaday2024

National Malaria Elimination Program World Health Organization Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa Malaria No More Malaria No More UK Malaria Travel Advice Malaria Consortium UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control Africa CDC