Malaria the Silent Killer

Malaria has been rated as the second leading killer disease in Africa, behind Lower respiratory infections which is first.

In 2022, an estimated 608,000 people died from malaria, a mortality rate of 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people at risk.

This is a significant concern as malaria remains a major public health issue affecting millions.

African Peace Organization has noticed that the number of malaria deaths decreased from 627,000 in 2020 and 576,000 in 2019, but the current figures indicate a lack of progress in controlling this disease.

Sadly every minute, a child under five dies from malaria, highlighting the disease's impact on vulnerable populations, particularly in Africa

Malaria is a leading cause of child mortality, killing half a million children each year. In 2022, 95% of malaria deaths globally occurred in the WHO African Region, where children under 5 accounted for 80% of all malaria deaths

Children under 5 years of age accounted for about 78% of all malaria deaths in the Region. Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (26.8%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.3%), Uganda (5.1%) and Mozambique (4.2%).

Here are some other facts about malaria and child mortality:

·???????? Cause:?The Plasmodium parasite, carried by female Anopheles mosquitoes, causes malaria.?The parasite enters the bloodstream when an infected mosquito bites someone, and then multiplies in the liver.?

·???????? Symptoms:?Symptoms of malaria include fever and chills.?

·???????? Other effects:?Malaria can also lead to low cognitive development, anemia, and malnourishment.?

·???????? Prevention:?Nearly all malaria deaths are considered preventable.?

·???????? Bacterial infections:?One in four malaria deaths are made worse by bacterial infections.?

·???????? Antimalarials:?Less than two thirds of malaria deaths receive antimalarials before death.?

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The emergence of drug-resistant malaria strains complicates efforts to tackle the disease, exacerbating the situation despite advances in treatment and prevention strategies. Fight against drug-resistant malaria in critical new phase: “We are in danger of losing our current antimalarial drugs to resistance.” According to reports.

While there’s potential to eradicate malaria, it is hindered by funding cuts and resistance to existing therapies, highlighting the urgency of addressing these challenges.

Yes We can eradicate malaria

Three African countries—Algeria, Cabo Verde, and Mauritius—have successfully eliminated malaria, but dozens more still face this deadly disease. Globally, only 44 countries have eradicated malaria.

Malaria was eradicated from Europe in the 1970s through a combination of insecticide spraying, drug therapy and environmental engineering.

Anopheles mosquitoes are primarily known for their importance in the transmission of human malaria. Of the more than 450 recognised Anopheles species, around 40 have the capacity to transmit human malaria parasites well enough to cause significant human illness

Worldwide there are more than 3,570 species of mosquitoes, with 677 of those species are in Africa. Malaria is spread by the bite of female? Anopheles? mosquitoes. More than 475 Anopheles? species have been described worldwide, and more than 30 are considered a public health problem. Amongst these, only 3 very closely related species are responsible for most malaria transmission:? Anopheles gambiae , Anopheles coluzzii and? Anopheles arabiensis .

The introduction of another specie of mosquitoes to reduce and eliminate the specie causing Malaria

?Genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes?are one way to reduce or eliminate the species of mosquitoes that cause malaria:?

·???????? Mosquito transgenesis:?Involves directly engineering the mosquito to deliver anti-Plasmodium molecules?

·???????? Paratransgenesis:?Involves genetically modifying the mosquito's symbionts to express anti-pathogen molecules?

·???????? Self-limiting gene:?Prevents female offspring from surviving to adulthood?

·???????? Fluorescent marker gene:?Helps identify the mosquitoes in the wild?

Other ways to reduce malaria include:

·???????? Eliminating breeding places:?Such as swamps and lagoons?

·???????? Killing larvae:?In breeding places?

·???????? Using insecticide-impregnated bednets:?Can be effective in reducing malaria morbidity?

·???????? Treating dwellings with residual insecticides:?Shortens the lifespan of mosquitoes?

·???????? Introducing animals that prefer to feed on animals instead of humans:?Can reduce malaria transmission?

·???????? Habitat manipulation:?Includes measures like water level manipulation, shading, and exposing habitats to the sun?

·???????? Biological control:?Involves introducing natural enemies into aquatic habitats, such as predatory fish, invertebrates, parasites, or disease organisms?

·???????? Larviciding:?Involves regularly applying biological or chemical insecticides to water bodies?

In?October 2024, the Nigerian government took their first delivery of malaria vaccines. Designed to bolster already implemented interventions like the distribution of insecticide-treated nets to households, the vaccine will soon be rolled out in Kebbi and Bayelsa states

Hopefully we would soon see the end of Malaria for good, this is part of the core mandate of African Peace Organization. Join Us

Noah Ajare

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