Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
Malaria can be transmitted from mother to baby and by blood transfusions. The Anopheles mosquito transmits the parasites, called sporozoites, upon biting the hosts, into the bloodstream to the liver, where the parasites continue their life cycle. In the liver, the parasites mature and release another form called merozoites, which enter the bloodstream and infect the red blood cells. In the red blood cells, they develop into ring forms called trophozoites and schizonts that in turn, produce further merozoites. Upon infection of the red blood cells, the parasite is able to multiply within the cell, break open and continue infecting additional red blood cells. The symptoms occur in a cyclical manner every 48-72 hours. Malaria is characterized by the development of symptoms that include high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, and anemia. The symptoms that persist due to parasitic infection are a result of the release of merozoites into the bloodstream, destruction of the red blood cells and the free circulation of large amounts of hemoglobin in the red blood cells due to disruption.
Malaria can be transmitted from mother to baby and by blood transfusions. The Anopheles mosquito transmits the parasites, called sporozoites, upon biting the hosts, into the bloodstream to the liver, where the parasites continue their life cycle. In the liver, the parasites mature and release another form called merozoites, which enter the bloodstream and infect the red blood cells. In the red blood cells, they develop into ring forms called trophozoites and schizonts that in turn, produce further merozoites. Upon infection of the red blood cells, the parasite is able to multiply within the cell, break open and continue infecting additional red blood cells. The symptoms occur in a cyclical manner every 48-72 hours. Malaria is characterized by the development of symptoms that include high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, and anemia. The symptoms that persist due to parasitic infection are a result of the release of merozoites into the bloodstream, destruction of the red blood cells and the free circulation of large amounts of hemoglobin in the red blood cells due to disruption.
“Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria. In 2022, an estimated 249 million people contracted malaria in 85 countries. That same year, the disease claimed approximately 608 000 lives.
Some people are more susceptible to developing severe malaria than others. Infants and children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS are at particular risk. Other vulnerable groups include people entering areas with intense malaria transmission who have not acquired partial immunity from long exposure to the disease, or who are not taking chemopreventive therapies, such as migrants, mobile populations and travellers.
Some people in areas where malaria is common will develop partial immunity. While it never provides complete protection, partial immunity reduces the risk that malaria infection will cause severe disease. For this reason, most malaria deaths in Africa occur in young children, whereas in areas with less transmission and low immunity, all age groups are at risk” World Health Organisation
Some people are more susceptible to developing severe malaria than others. Infants and children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS are at particular risk. Other vulnerable groups include people entering areas with intense malaria transmission who have not acquired partial immunity from long exposure to the disease, or who are not taking chemopreventive therapies, such as migrants, mobile populations and travellers.
Some people in areas where malaria is common will develop partial immunity. While it never provides complete protection, partial immunity reduces the risk that malaria infection will cause severe disease. For this reason, most malaria deaths in Africa occur in young children, whereas in areas with less transmission and low immunity, all age groups are at risk” World Health Organisation