Malaria

The female anopheles mosquito inserts her proboscis into the skin to take a blood meal. She releases saliva which prevents the blood from clotting and so allows a free flow of blood. The saliva contains the malaria parasite which then enters the bloodstream of the victim. The mosquito is the vector

Mosquito Life Cycle Female anopheles mosquito lays her eggs in stagnant water where they hatch. There are about 30 – 40 anopheles species that can transmit malaria. Mosquitoes take 5-14 days to go through their life cycle (depending on temperature)and can then live for up to one month

Malaria is caused by a parasite of the genus plasmodium – a single celled organism that cannot survive outside of their host. Plasmodium falciparum – deadliest and prevalent in sub- Saharan Africa Plasmodium vivax – prevalent in SE Asia and S America Plasmodium ovale – less common Plasmodium malariae- less common

Factors which contribute towards the spread of Malaria Physical Factors Temperatures between 16 and 40°C Humidity over 60% Rainfall Stagnant water Vegetation cover

Human Factors Human development Agriculture Urbanisation Migration Human Host Poverty /revision/4

Malaria Symptoms Clinical signs can vary from very mild to very severe Where malaria is common adults often develop some level of immunity Pregnant women and young children are most affected Fever and aches are common accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea If untreated it can cause several weeks and months of poor health and some will die within a few days

How do we control malaria? Tackle the breeding ground Kill the mosquito Tackle the parasite that causes malaria using drugs Prevention – reduce risk of being bitten

The Mosquito – tackle its breeding grounds Smaller holes could be filled in and larger expanses mechanically drained.

Cover water containers

Eucalyptus Trees Plant eucalyptus trees to soak up stagnant water

Tackling the Larvae -Larviciding Spray larvicides such as Temephos

Spraying egg whites or oil on breeding grounds Using egg whites is wasteful of a protein source but ecologically sound Oil pollutes the water and is costly

Introducing Fish The Muddy Roach

Killing the Mosquito Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) lips/z7b76sg

Use Bed Nets h

Treating the Disease Use of drugs such as Lariam and Chloroquine

Artemisinin

Vaccine? No vaccine as yet. Millions are being spent on research and scientist are getting closer but have not yet been successful

Prevention Education helps people become more aware of risks and ways to reduce being bitten Questions Discuss the physical and human factors that put people at risk from contracting malaria (5) Discuss the methods used to combat malaria (6) Evaluate the methods used (6)