Malaria
Malaria, the most important vector-born pathogen (Becker et al. 2003; Resh & Carde 2009), is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium, a protozoan parasite. There are four species of Plasmodium that infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae (Liu et al. 2011), however, it is P. falciparum that causes the majority of deaths (Walker, Nadjm & Whitty 2009).
Facts and Statistics:
· According to the 2010 World Malaria Report, in 2009 there was an estimated 225 million cases of malaria, with approximately 781,000 resulting in deaths (Liu, Miao & Cui 2011).
· A large proportion of malaria caused deaths are children under five years of age (Becker et al. 2003; Liu et al. 2011).
· Malaria costs African countries over US$12 million annually (Liu et al. 2011).
How is Malaria Transmitted?
Female Anopheles mosquitoes are the only mosquitoes capable of transmitting malaria-causing parasites to humans (Becker et al. 2003). Before transmission can occur, the Plasmodium species have to undergo a complex cycle. This involves sexual replication in mosquitoes and asexual replication within an infected vertebrate (Becker et al. 2003). The process of disease transmission is shown below (Click image for enlarged view).
Facts and Statistics:
· According to the 2010 World Malaria Report, in 2009 there was an estimated 225 million cases of malaria, with approximately 781,000 resulting in deaths (Liu, Miao & Cui 2011).
· A large proportion of malaria caused deaths are children under five years of age (Becker et al. 2003; Liu et al. 2011).
· Malaria costs African countries over US$12 million annually (Liu et al. 2011).
How is Malaria Transmitted?
Female Anopheles mosquitoes are the only mosquitoes capable of transmitting malaria-causing parasites to humans (Becker et al. 2003). Before transmission can occur, the Plasmodium species have to undergo a complex cycle. This involves sexual replication in mosquitoes and asexual replication within an infected vertebrate (Becker et al. 2003). The process of disease transmission is shown below (Click image for enlarged view).
Symptoms:
There are many malaria symptoms humans can experience, and they can vary depending on the species of Plasmodium and the age of the host. The classic malaria symptoms include:
· Fever
· Chills
· Sweats
· Headache
· Muscle pain
· Malaise
(Goddard 2000)
P. falciparum derived malaria may also cause more severe symptoms such medical shock, delirium or coma, or complications such as hypoglycemia, renal failure, hemolytic anemia, and acute pulmonary edema (Goddard 2000).
Malaria – Distribution Around the World:
The map below illustrates the spread of malaria across the world. As shown, a lot of areas are at risk, therefore threatening the health of a large proportion of the population.
There are many malaria symptoms humans can experience, and they can vary depending on the species of Plasmodium and the age of the host. The classic malaria symptoms include:
· Fever
· Chills
· Sweats
· Headache
· Muscle pain
· Malaise
(Goddard 2000)
P. falciparum derived malaria may also cause more severe symptoms such medical shock, delirium or coma, or complications such as hypoglycemia, renal failure, hemolytic anemia, and acute pulmonary edema (Goddard 2000).
Malaria – Distribution Around the World:
The map below illustrates the spread of malaria across the world. As shown, a lot of areas are at risk, therefore threatening the health of a large proportion of the population.