By Joanna Jaiyeola
Malaria is caused by?
Preventing Malaria has many major steps that require cleanliness (Personal and Environmental) as well as taking care to go on preventative doses every 3 Months. Malaria is a sickness usually caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus.
The parasites are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles Mosquitoes.
Generally according to previous research like Ross, R. (1897). The Prevention of Malaria. London: John Murray. There have been no other causes of malaria
Epidemiology:
Malaria is endemic in more than 90 countries, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 229 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide in 2019, resulting in approximately 409,000 deaths. The majority of these deaths occurred in children under the age of five in Africa, underscoring the disproportionate burden of the disease on vulnerable populations.
Countries with the highest malaria cases?
Malaria is mostly common in Africa specifically countries like Nigeria, Congo, and Uganda due to their environment. The Preventing Malaria in this regions is a herculean task as the requirements to make this possible may not be available at this locations primarily due to the level of exposure and knowledge.
You surely do not want to keep spending money on malaria drugs and hospital bills.
Save yourself the money, there are little domestic ways and controls you can put in place to prevent malaria
Let’s dive in
Read Also: Symptoms of Malaria
Common domestic controls for preventing malaria
1. Treated Bed Nets
In other to prevent constant cases of malaria in the home, you can buy treated mosquito nets, and hang it around your bed.
The nets block mosquitoes from coming into your bed to bite
The chemicals associated with the nets could also make them die immediately if they go close to the net
This method can be very helpful.
2. Stagnant Water Removal.
Stagnant water attracts mosquitoes and flies.
Having this, close to you easily makes way for mosquito bites.
Water drainages can be dug in the compound leading to a closed place for the water.
3. Indoor Residual Spraying
This method involves using mosquito sprays in the house to kill them.
While this is a very good way of controlling mosquitoes, Members of the house should be cautious in using the sprays, as contamination with food can lead to death or terminal sicknesses.
All food items should be properly covered before spraying, then a few hours after all related smell is gone, the windows can be opened for fresh air.
4. Environmental Management
The house’s surroundings should always be clean.
When everywhere is dirty and smelling, mosquitoes are attracted and this makes way for them to come in to bite
Community members and leaders should advocate for cleanliness in the houses and community as this helps in preventing malaria
Waste bins should be disposed of properly in appropriate places to prevent mosquitoes from coming in.
5. Insect Repellant
Applying insect repellent on your skin helps prevent mosquitoes from biting.
You can look for products containing DEET, picaridin, or other recommended ingredients
Wearing long-sleeved clothes at times could prevent them from biting, but this is only possible in cold weather, and it is not also a more sure way of preventing them from biting.
Proper awareness about the symptoms and causes of malaria is significant in reducing the spread of malaria in the community
Community leaders and members should also create awareness programs to aid in preventing malaria.
Malaria, a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, continues to pose a significant public health threat worldwide. Despite considerable progress in controlling the disease over the past few decades, malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remains committed to addressing this global health challenge through comprehensive surveillance, research, prevention, and control efforts.
Malaria remains a formidable public health challenge with far-reaching social, economic, and health consequences. The CDC remains dedicated to collaborating with domestic and international partners to advance research, innovation, and implementation of evidence-based strategies to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination. Through collective action and unwavering commitment, we can strive towards a world free of malaria, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and lead a healthy life.