Public Health and Safety: Malaria

By Shiraz Anjum

Malaria

Malaria is a disease that can be deadly. It is caused by parasites that are spread to people when infected female Anopheles Mosquitoes bite them. It can be prevented and is treatable. The African Region of the World Health Organization has a disproportionately high number of malaria deaths. In Canada, there are an average of 488 cases of malaria each year. From 2010 to 2014, the number of cases each year ranged from 447 to 516. Canada experienced 95% of malaria incidence and 96% of malaria deaths in 2021. About 80% of malaria deaths were in children under the age of five.

Symptoms

The earliest signs of malaria — fever, headache, and chills – often show 10 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and can be difficult to identify. Malaria caused by P. falciparum can lead to severe sickness and death within 24 hours if left untreated. In 2021, malaria threatened about half of the world's population. Infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, and HIV/AIDS patients are at a significantly increased risk of getting malaria and developing severe disease, as are those with compromised immunity traveling to areas with extensive malaria transmission, such as migrant

Transmission

In rare instances, transmission can also occur through mother-to-child, and blood transfusion and needle sharing.

Malaria Diagnosis

Malaria can be diagnosed using blood tests. Early detection and treatment of malaria decreases illness and fatality rates. Anyone with malaria symptoms should seek emergency medical assistance. Even if malaria preventatives are used while traveling, one may not be completely protected. This could be a medical emergency, and blood testing is necessary. Symptoms may manifest during the trip or up to a year following return.

Malaria Treatment

Malaria is treatable with anti-malarial drugs. Malaria treatment depends on a variety of parameters, including the type of parasite and the severity of the condition. If the disease is diagnosed and treated promptly, nearly all cases can be totally cured.

Malaria Prevention

Since October 2021, the WHO additionally recommends widespread administration of the malaria vaccine to children living in locations with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission. It has been demonstrated that the vaccine dramatically reduces malaria and lethal severe malaria in young children. Access to WHO-recommended malaria prevention techniques and tactics, such as effective vector control and the use of preventative antimalarial medications has had a significant impact on reducing the worldwide incidence of this illness over the past two decades.

Surveillance

In addition to aiding in the design of effective health interventions and the evaluation of the efficacy of malaria control programs, robust malaria surveillance systems also assist nations in determining the efficacy of their malaria control Each Canadian Malaria Network (CMN) facility provides surveillance information on all anti-malarial drug-treated cases.