Disease Control and Prevention: Malaria - Essay Example

Disease Control and Prevention: Malaria Malaria is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. These parasites are commonly transmitted to the human body by the Anopheles mosquitos. When female mosquito bites a person, the parasite is tranferred to the liver and then in 10-12 days is introduced into the circulatory system. Plasmodium parasites destroy red blood cells (erythrocytes) that leads to severe disorders in the human body (CDC, 2014).There are more than 100 species of Plasmodium.

However, only four species infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. Initially, the parasite infects the female mosquito Anopheles. The infected mosquito injects Plasmodium into the human circulation system. Mosquito may be also infected when bites person that has malaria. Afterward, the insect may infect another person. The most dangerous period for the spreading of malaria is a time when mosquitos may increase its population (Understanding Malaria, 2007).

Malaria is one of infectious diseases that the most widely spread in the world. More than 300 million cases of this disease occur every year. About 1 million people die. The most dangerous regions are developing countries of Asia, Africa, Central and South America. People who do not live in developed countries may get malaria during visits of regions where this disease is widely spread (World Health Organization, 2013).The risk to get malaria depends on the place where Plasmodium and mosquito Anopheles can live.

Mosquitos live in tropical, subtropical and temperate climate. However, Plasmodium can live only in warm (tropical and subtropical) climate. Factors, like land use, water quality and urbanization can effect on the spreading of malaria. Presence of swamps or wet conditions where mosquitos can Spatial analysis and analysis of the environment can help to estimate the risk to get malaria in different regions (World Health Organization, 2013).The risk of morbidity depends on the age group. Children and pregnant women are the main groups of risks regarding the consequences of malaria.

High death rates are typical for the young persons and children. Malaria increases risks of child mortality, stillbirth and low birth weight. Such a factor as medical care (or its absence in the first days of disease) increase the risk of severe complications after malaria, and the density of population may increase the risk of spreading this disease (World Health Organization, 2013).It is important to control the places where Plasmodium and Anopheles may live. The effective measures are swamp draining and using of the insecticides.

These measures helped to decrease the risk of malaria in Asia and Africa (World Health Organization, 2013). However, it should be taken into account that Anopheles mosquitos become resistant to the insecticides. The insecticide also has significant environmental impact and are harmful to both mosquitos and other insects. Individual protection can help to prevent the bites of mosquitos. Anti-mosquito nets and repellents should be used at home (Understanding Malaria, 2007).The policy of the World Health Organization and the policy of the states, where the risk of malaria is high, includes control of the dangerous regions, fast and effective diagnostics, and immediate treatment of infected persons (World Health Organization, 2013).

Education and consulting, especially in cases of the resistance to drugs and insecticides, become more and more important issue. The research is oriented on the creation of an effective vaccine and investigation of the mechanism of Plasmodium survives within the human body and mosquito (Understanding Malaria, 2007).Malaria is a dangerous disease caused by Plasmodium parasite. The consequences of the disease depend on the species of Plasmodium. Any person, especially living in a dangerous region, can be infected.

The main risk groups are children and pregnant women. There is no vaccine against malaria, and there is only a small probability for the creation of natural immunity. To fight malaria it is necessary to pay attention to the places where mosquito and Plasmodium may develop.ReferencesCDC. 2012. (2014). 2013 National Notifiable Infectious Conditions. National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Division of Notifiable Diseases and Healthcare Information, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Retrieved September 10, 2014 from: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/nndss/script/conditionlist.aspx?type=0&yr=2013)“Understanding Malaria.” NIH Publication, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2014 from: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/malaria/documents/malaria.pdf World Health Organization. (2013). World malaria report: 2013. Genève: WHO Press.