Overview of Malaria

• Do you know that malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
• Malaria is a major public health problem in Nigeria where it accounts for more cases and deaths than any other country in the world.
• Malaria accounts for 60% of outpatient visits and 30% of hospitalizations among children under five years of age in Nigeria.
• Malaria is the 3rd leading cause of death for children under five years worldwide, after pneumonia and diarrheal disease.
• Malaria is the 2nd leading cause of death from infectious diseases in Africa, after HIV/AIDS.
• There are an estimated 100 million malaria cases with over 300,000 deaths per year in Nigeria. This compares with 215,000 deaths per year in Nigeria from HIV/AIDS.
• Almost 1 out of 5 deaths of children under 5 in Africa is due to malaria.
• Malaria contributes to an estimated 11% of maternal mortality.

Modes of transmission

• The parasite is transmitted to humans most commonly through mosquito bites.
• Also, due to the parasites that cause malaria affect red blood cells, people can also catch malaria from exposure to infected blood, including:
• From mother to unborn child
• Through blood transfusions
• By sharing needles used to inject drugs

Symptoms

A malaria infection is generally characterized by the following signs and symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle pain and fatigue

Other signs and symptoms may include:

• Sweating
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Cough

Risks of more-severe disease

People at increased risk of serious disease include:

• Young children and infants
• Older adults
• Travelers coming from areas with no malaria
• Pregnant women and their unborn children

Malaria related complications

In most cases, malaria deaths are related to one or more serious complications, including:

• Cerebral malaria: If parasite-filled blood cells block small blood vessels to your brain (cerebral malaria), swelling of your brain or brain damage may occur. Cerebral malaria may cause seizures and coma.
• Breathing problems: Accumulated fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema) can make it difficult to breathe.
• Organ failure: Malaria can cause your kidneys or liver to fail, or your spleen to rupture. Any of these conditions can be life-threatening.
• Malaria damages red blood cells, which can result in anemia.
• Low blood sugar: Severe forms of malaria itself can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as can quinine — one of the most common medications used to combat malaria. Very low blood sugar can result in coma or death.

Diagnosis

• Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents deaths. It also contributes to reducing malaria transmission.
• WHO recommends that all cases of suspected malaria be confirmed using parasite-based diagnostic testing (either microscopy or rapid diagnostic test) before administering treatment. Results of parasitological confirmation can be available in 30 minutes or less.

Treatment

• The best available treatment, particularly for falciparum malaria, is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).

Prevention

• Vector control is the main way to prevent and reduce malaria transmission.
• Two forms of vector control – insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying are effective in a wide range of circumstances.
• For pregnant women living in moderate-to-high transmission areas, WHO recommends intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, at each scheduled antenatal visit after the first trimester. Similarly, for infants living in high-transmission areas of Africa, 3 doses of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine are recommended, delivered alongside routine vaccinations.

Way Forward

Poverty, lack of knowledge, and little or no access to health care also contribute to malaria deaths worldwide. Contact us if you have these.

Services Available

• Rapid diagnostic testing
• Microscopic Test
• Provide Mosquito treated net and do treatment

How to reach us:

• Reach us at EF-DIC facility
• Contact our Community health outreach services providers for home care services by filling the form below or call our hotline or send us an email message.

Our Vision is to attain sustainable human society.