Malaria By: Anish Jaisinghani Date: Period: 3 rd

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 people died  In % 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:

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