MalariaBy: Anish Jaisinghani

Date: 11-10-2014

Period: 3rd

Definition and cause

Local mosquitos bite nearby people in the endemic area that carry malaria and then transmit it to other locals. Malaria starts in the stomach of the mosquito, and it then releases sporozoites which make their way into the mosquito’s saliva, and the mosquito bites a person, starting the process in people. It will mainly affect liver cells. After the initial liver infection, the infected cells undergo asexual reproduction. This causes the malaria to spread throughout the body, causing many problems.

In the USA two main species transmitted malaria: Anopheles quadrimaculatus & freeborni

Symptoms

Frequently reported symptoms:

o Attacks: lasts 6-10 hours.

• First stage: cold.

• Second stage: hot.

• Third stage: sweating.

o Symptoms: fever, sweats, nausea, chills, headaches, body aches, faster breathing

Data points/Statistics

Around 3.4 billion people are at risk of malaria each year

In 2012, 207 million people reported cases of malaria, and 627000 people died

In 2012 90% of the world’s malaria deaths occurred in Africa

Places in world with malaria transmission:

Body Systems Affected

Malaria mainly affects the liver

If malaria starts growing in the liver, it can cause relapses months or even years later

Eventually they might infect red blood cells

It grows in a very long life cycle as shown in the next slide

Prognosis

When a person is infected, there will be an incubation period that lasts 7 days to 30 days

As the disease progresses it goes from uncomplicated malaria to severe malaria

o Severe malaria causes organ failures. It causes malaria to spread throughout the body, infecting many organs.

• Symptoms: abnormal behavior, unconsciousness, seizures, coma, destruction of red blood cells, hemoglobinuria, breathing issues, blood coagulation issues, cardiovascular collapse, kidney failure, excessive acidity in blood and tissue fluids, low blood glucose

Cure

The treatment depends on many factors

In areas without chloroquine-resistant strains, a person can be treated with an oral chloroquine.

In areas with the strain, there are four options: Malarone, Coartem if they are not pregnant or pediatric. Quinine sulfate plus « doxycycline, tetracycline, or clindamycin » is the 3rd option. Quinine plus doxycycline or tetracycline had more desired results. The fourth option, mefloquine, is the last resort.

Drugs can be taken by travelers to delay the appearance of symptoms by weeks or months

Climate

The growth cycle of malaria in mosquitos cannot be completed at temperatures below 20ºC (68ºF) and it cannot be transmitted

In countries with malaria, transmission doesn’t occur at high altitudes, cold seasons, and deserts

Transmission is more intense in warm, tropical regions

Interesting Facts

The USA has a chloroquine-resistant strain so we only have 4 cures to chose from.

Malaria in Africa is extremely hard to control. There are many reasons: perfect climate, unawareness, no immunity to disease, and high costs for cure

CDC collaborates with Ministries of Health to fight malaria

Climate is one of the biggest factors in the transmission of malaria

CDC contributes to research of malaria on USA citizens

Visit this link for a story about a person with malaria: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/stories/morethanjetlag.html

Citation

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/facts.html

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/disease.html

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/distribution.html

http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/malaria/en/#

http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/malaria/malaria_facts/en/index2.html

http://data.unicef.org/child-health/malaria

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/malaria_worldwide/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/stories/morethanjetlag.html