‘Left to run it’s present course Malaria is a crisis that can only deepen’
- 3-500 million cases of Malaria each year, with over 5 million deaths
- A disease so deadly and prevalent that in parts of Africa there is barely a child who has not suffered by the time of their first birthday.
- In Africa alone 4 million people die of Malaria each year 85% children
- Malaria cases in Africa account for 90% of Malaria cases in the world
- In areas of high transmission 990,000 died of Malaria in 2004 that equates to: – over 2,700 deaths per day or 2 deaths per minute
Transmission
- Vector – Anopheles mosquito
- Blood transfusions
- Organ transplants
- At birth
- Contaminated needles
Symptoms
- Fever, chills and sweating
- Severe headaches
- Nausea, vomiting
- Tiredness and muscle pain
- Diarrhoea
- Coughing
Treatment
The Malaria virus has become resistant to many of the traditional drugs used to treat Malaria. The World Health Organisation (WHO)are currently recommending the use of :-
- Artemisinin derivatives – Artefan Combisunate
To ensure treatments remain effective and the development of resistant strains are reduced as much as possible it is essential patients are educated well and follow the recommended dosage as prescribed.
At this present time the WHO are currently subsidising Malaria treatment in a drive to eradicate this virus and reduce mortality worldwide.