MALARIA, the Menace

Malaria

is a widespread life-threatening disease that is caused by the bite of mosquitoes that have been infected with a Plasmodium parasite.

THE MOSQUITOES (vectors of the parasite) that transmit the malaria causing parasite are known as the female Anopheles mosquito. It is only the female Anopheles that transmits the disease. Other mosquito species such as Culex, Aedes do not act as vectors of the parasite.

The female mosquitoes are astonishingly amazing. They locate humans by sensing heat, light and odors from our skin. They detect the position of blood vessels that are closer to the surface of the skin and insect their proboscis into the skin to suck out blood. During this process, they secrete also secrete saliva that contains anticoagulant to ease the sucking of blood by prevent it from clotting. The saliva also contains a mild pain killer. You may only be able to detect their presence after they have started sucking up your blood. If not interrupted they ensure that they fill up their abdomen with blood before taking off again.

Male mosquitoes usually feed on plant nectar and so therefore do not feed on blood or bite humans. It is only female mosquito that bites humans since they need blood to nurture their eggs.

THE PLASMODIUM parasites that cause Malaria in man are of 5 different types, viz:
• Plasmodium falciparum which is the deadliest amongst the others.
• Plasmodium vivax,
• Plasmodium malariae and
• Plasmodium ovale cause a milder form of malaria
• Plasmodium knowleri are rarely found to cause malaria

Malaria is not a contagious disease but it can be transferred by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito on an infected person to a healthy one.

HOW DO WE CONTACT MALARIA?

When a healthy person is being bitten by the mosquito carrying the parasite, during the process of sucking blood, the parasite is transferred into the blood stream. The parasites travel through the blood vessels to the liver where they mature and reproduce asexually by cell division.
The matured parasites then leaves the liver cells and return back into the blood stream where they infect red blood cells by growing and multiplying in them till they burst out releasing multiples of the parasites.
During this process, the following symptoms may occur:
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Headache and
• Nausea
These symptoms will appear usually between 10 to 15 days after becoming infected although; it may take months in some cases.
If these symptoms are not well taking care of or checked upon, they may worsen into:
• Severe anemia
• Cerebral malaria
• Low blood sugar
• Difficulty in breathing
• Coma
And worst of all,
• Death

PREVENTION AND CARE OF MALARIA

Nearly half of the World’s population is at risk of Malaria especially infants, pregnant women, patients with HIV/AIDS or weak immune system.
According to the World Health Organization, WHO, malaria has caused more death yearly than other diseases or infection in the last 10 to 20 years.
Currently, there is no vaccine for malaria. The only way to reduce the occurrence and transmission of malaria is by controlling the vectors (female Anopheles mosquito) of the parasite (Plasmodium) that cause the disease.
The following are ways of preventing and avoiding Malaria:
 Creating awareness on what malaria is and how to control it.
 Avoiding any form of stagnant water no matter how little it may be either on the roads, roof tops or gutters since it is their breeding site.
 Using insecticide treated mosquito nets while sleeping.

 Indoor spraying with residual insecticides.
 Using prescribed anti-malaria drug.

 Seeking medical check-up whenever any of the symptoms is noticed.

REFERENCES:
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-US&q=malaria+facts&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjG7PWygtPRAhVBtBQKHberBzMQ1QIIQigA
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150670.php
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Malaria/Pages/Introduction.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/
http://insectcop.net/how-mosquitoes-bite/
image source @ pixabay.com

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I’m a Microbiology undergraduate at the University and I’m fascinated with learning amazing stuff about life everyday.
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