Malaria Prevention Dietsmann HSE Awareness Campaign

A febrile illness caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. WHAT IS MALARIA ? A febrile illness caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. There are four types of Plasmodium parasites: FALCIPARUM - Very common in West Africa Untreated, it can kill you Vivax causes milder disease and unless correctly treated can hide in the liver causing malaria relapses many months and even years later Plasmodium Malariae and Ovale are less important species in West Africa

What happens when you get bitten by an infected mosquito?  

Malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds! Malaria Prevention  Saves Lives Malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds! More than 1,000,000 deaths a year! If diagnosed and treated correctly and without delay, recovery is complete

Mind before Madness

Malaria risk awareness Initial symptoms: Fever Sweats Chills Headache Body aches Muscular pain Nausea and vomiting

Malaria risk awareness Cerebral malaria is a consequence of severe malaria with supplementary signs: Irritability Confusion Convulsions Coma

Mosquito bite prevention Two lines of defence against mosquito bites: Mosquito control programmes Personal protection

Mosquito bite prevention How can mosquitoes be eliminated? The aim is to reduce the mosquito population by destroying larvae and by killing adult mosquitoes. Measures include: Draining of swamps, ditches Eliminating standing water (keep plants away from vicinity of patios and doors, remove or cover outside containers that can hold water...) Preventing mosquito access to living quarters (window and door screens, plumbing fixtures...)

Mosquito bite prevention How can I best protect myself? Personal protection is aimed at avoiding mosquitoes and minimizing being bitten: Use bed nets treated with Permethrin insecticide (use correctly and check for holes!) Close doors and windows. Use air conditioning when available. Indoor residual spraying (IRS). inside

Mosquito bite prevention How can I best protect myself? Limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn whenever possible Wear long sleeves and Permethrin-treated shirts and trousers Use insect repellent on exposed skin, minimal 30% DEET outside

Take anti-malarial drugs Mosquito bites cannot be completely avoided. Regular medication is required to prevent/suppress malaria. Adequately and promptly treated, malaria is a curable disease.

Take anti-malarial drugs The selection of drugs involves an analysis of risks and benefits based on several considerations: Prevalence and type of malaria resistance. Duration and place of stay. Intensity of mosquito contact. Age (adult versus child) and state of health (pregnant/lactating women...). Past experience with the recommended drug.

Take anti-malarial drugs For local population Malaria Chemoprophylaxis is not recommended for semi-immune employees. In areas of high transmission of P. falciparum, at least one of the two core vector control interventions should cover the risk: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).

Take anti-malarial drugs For local population To protect pregnant women: Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) is recommended. Children under 5 years of age should therefore be treated on the basis of a clinical diagnosis of malaria.

Take anti-malarial drugs For Expatriates and Visitors Recommended treatment: Atovaquone-proguanil combination (Malarone®) Mefloquine (Lariam 250®) Doxycycline (Doxypalu®)

Take anti-malarial drugs How do I determine which drug protection is best for me? The treatment must be prescribed by a doctor who is familiar with tropical diseases in order to prescribe you the appropriate drugs.

Take anti-malarial drugs Think carefully before making your decision as to whether or not to take the preventive medicine.   The risk of side effects is always smaller than the risk of malaria, which is DEATH!

See a doctor urgently... ...if you suspect malaria! Symptoms may arise one week or more after entering a malaria risk area. Symptoms may develop up to 3 months after departure. Immediate treatment is essential. Even if you are taking preventive treatment: be aware, ensure early diagnosis.

Mind before Madness