QUESTION Why are pregnant women and children at the highest risk of getting malaria? ANSWER The reason why pregnant women and children are at greater risk of contracting malaria is due to their reduced levels of immunity. Children living in malarial areas have less immunity than adults because they have had less exposure to malaria, and so their immune systems have not had a chance to … [Read more...]
Post-infection Malaria Medication
QUESTION My daughter has recently returned from a trip to Borneo. Even with aggressive preventive anti-mosquito behaviour (long sleeves/pants, deet applications and mosquito netting) but not anti-malarial medication, she received over 30 bites. She is now exhibiting some symptoms (body aches, headache and severe fatigue). She has an appointment at the doctors in 2 days time. Is there some kind … [Read more...]
Malaria in Africa
QUESTION What is the current problem for malaria in Africa? ANSWER Malaria is a particularly severe problem in Africa due to a number of reasons. First of all, transmission in many parts of Africa occurs year round, due to favourable conditions for the development of the mosquitoes malaria requires as its vector. Secondly, the dominant and most widespread species of malaria in Africa … [Read more...]
Malaria Distribution
QUESTION What countries have malaria? ANSWER Prior to the advent of modern methods for controlling malaria, it was present on every continent in the whole except Antarctica. The transmission of malaria depends on an appropriate climate, both for the development of the parasite and the mosquitoes that it requires as a vector. This limits malaria to areas that are sufficiently warm and with … [Read more...]
Where did malaria start in Africa?
QUESTION Where did malaria start in Africa? ANSWER Malaria has been present in Africa for tens of thousands of years; given this ancient history, it is very difficult to know exactly where it first entered the continent. Also, there are several different types of malaria in Africa, which have likely had different histories, and malaria researchers continually unearth new evidence … [Read more...]
How long do I need to carry a Malaria Risk Card
QUESTION Hello, 13 months ago I worked in Nigeria, Africa for a period of 6 weeks. During which time I took Malarone tables daily. I think I was only bitten once or twice when there - but have never had Malaria. I currently carry a Malaria Risk Card in my wallet. At the time I was told I could potentially contract Malaria up to a period of 2 years after exposure - is this correct, or can I now … [Read more...]
Transmission of Malaria
QUESTION Why can the malaria parasite be transmitted from mosquito to human, but not from human to human (via blood)? ANSWER This is a very good question, and actually, malaria can be transmitted via human blood directly to another person, but this occurs relatively rarely! It has to do with the life cycle of the malaria parasite. When a mosquito bites a human host, it injects … [Read more...]
Annual Blood Examination Rate in Bengal
QUESTION What is the annual blood examination rate in West Bengal? ANSWER The annual blood examination rate (ABER) is a measure of the level of diagnostic monitoring activity. Data from 2007 suggested the ABER in West Bengal was around 5%, which is well below the level of 10% which is recommended for active surveillance and is the target of the National Vector Borne Disease Control … [Read more...]
Lasting Headaches and Malaria
QUESTION I had malaria in July of 2011, returned to the U.S. in August, and had an occurrence of P. falciparum a little more than a month later. It was quickly treated, but I continue to get headaches. They occur about daily, and exercise induces a very severe headache. Is this a common lasting symptom of malaria? ANSWER Once successfully treated, malaria almost never has recurring or … [Read more...]
How is Malaria Treated
QUESTION How is malaria treated today? ANSWER Several different medications exist which are used for the treatment of malaria. The exact drug and method of treatment depends somewhat on the type of malaria the patient is infected with. In most cases of non-complicated (i.e. when the patient is stable and conscious) malaria, the World Health Organisation recommends an … [Read more...]