Malaria – “Killer disease” Adapted from: http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/education/malaria

Incidence and Distribution Parasite - plasmodium (5 types) dependent on a host for food and shelter Vector - Anopheles mosquito (72 types) Reservoir - where the Anopheles breed in fresh water Where the environment provides – water, vegetation, hot weather At low altitudes

Risk Populations Deaths mainly among the young in risk areas since immunity built up in older population Highest death rates children under 5 years of age Older people are susceptible when they move from one area and return after 6 or more months

Impact of Malaria http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/03_02/mosquitograph_468x611.jpg

Impact of Malaria (contd.) 300 to 500 million clinical cases per year: 5 times as many as TB, AIDS, measles and leprosy combined. A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds, according to the World Health Organization. Disability results from severe form of the disease. Major impact on human and economic development http://helid.digicollection.org/documents/s2988e/p20b.jpg

Malaria is a transmissible disease                                                                    Malaria is a transmissible disease Infected mosquito bites a human. After release, a dormant version of malaria travels through the host’s blood stream, to be ingested by another mosquito to onfect a new host. Parasite reaches the liver within 30 minutes. The Parasite starts reproducing rapidly in the liver. (Some parasites lie dormant and become activated years after initial infection) Gets into blood stream, attaches and enters red blood cells where further reproduction occurs. This repeating cycle depletes the body of oxygen and coincides with malaria’s fever and chills Infected red blood cells burst, infecting other blood cells and starting the sequence again.

Signs and Symptoms First symptoms generally appear 10 - 14 after infection, these include: High fever Headache Nausea Vomiting Pale and yellowish skin

Preventing Malaria A single dose malaria vaccine has proven virtually impossible to develop since five species of Plasmodium can cause malaria; Plasmodium falciparum (the most severe form) Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae (rarely fatal) and Plasmodium knowlesi (can infect humans) However… Malaria vaccine could save millions…

Preventing Malaria (while a vaccine is being developed) Skin cover Use a repellent Drain or screen standing water Screens and bed-nets (ITNs) Medication – Chemoprophylaxis

Developing an Anti-Malaria Poster The theme of the poster is malaria prevention. Your goal is to communicate the five approaches in preventing malaria infections, to a population with a large percentage of illiterate persons.  Areas of focus ; Element Mark Title reflects content /3 Graphics and drawings are relevant and informative /5 Poster is neat, attractive, and draws the eye /7 Understanding of the approaches to malaria prevention. /10