Agrima Bhatt, Rajasthan University
Malaria is a term we are all familiar with. It has been on earth since the ancient history of human civilization. From 2700 BC in China to as far as the sixteenth century BC in Hindu mythology. Poor public health conditions, intense fever, and enlarged spleens were identified in early cases of malarial history from the times of 400 to 800 BC. However, the mosquito as the malarial vector was first identified in the late 1880s by Ronald Ross. From the early times till now, we have combated the increasing cases of malaria by controlling the mosquito population by following different measures. This has decreased the malarial mortality rate to 45% and saved lives globally of around 3.3 million people.
But even now malaria continues to have a global impact in many countries. With over 228 million cases in 2018 malaria remains a major public health concern. Especially in the Sub-African and South Asian regions, malaria has come up as a highly deadly disease leading developing countries to poverty due to pressure on the healthcare system. Even after many strategies to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, this disease resurges every year or so.
Traditional Techniques to combat malaria:
After World War II, many countries employed the use of insecticide containing DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons to kill malaria vectors. Although these chemicals enter the ecological chain and cause severe environmental reactions, it still remains the key to fight against the spread of malaria. The World Health Organization in recent collaborations with companies strives to develop more malarial vaccines such as RTS,S. RTS,S is the first vaccine to provide partial protection to young children against malaria. More such vaccines are required to be developed and provided in order to protect the more susceptible population to malaria, i.e., children.
Insecticide-Treated Net (ITNs):
The use of ITNs is another such measure recommended in places like the Sub-African regions where malaria remains prevalent. This method has been used for ages, even before the discovery of Ronald Ross. In modern times, this technique has been merged with artemisinin-based combination therapy. This has been extensively used in the sub-African regions and has shown significant results in the infection rate. Previously, studies have been extremely low in the regions of Nigeria and Cameroon with respect to malaria mortality rates among children. Through studies, it was concluded that children under 5 years of age are more vulnerable to diseases, and thus, WHO recommended an 80% coverage rate for the possession of ITNs.
In high transmission areas, this number remained to be lowered despite the efforts by the government. Not enough information is being spread to the public about proper usage and needs for ITNs, especially to children between 5-15 years of age. This causes the morbidity rate to remain high in Sub-African regions and low utilization of ITNs remains prevalent. More campaigns are needed to be held in high transmission areas to bring knowledge and awareness to the people. Since the basic knowledge about malarial infection and its vector is incredibly low in areas and with no proper healthcare, this propagates much more fear among the locals when contracted with such disease.
Also read: Aquagenic Urticaria – When Water Becomes Lethal
Reference:
- Teh, R. N., Sumbele, I. U. N., Meduke, D. N., Nkeudem, G. A., Ojong, S. T., Teh, E. A., & Kimbi, H. K. (2021). Insecticide-treated net ownership, utilization and knowledge of malaria in children residing in Batoke–Limbe, Mount Cameroon area: effect on malariometric and haematological indices. Malaria Journal, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03860-6
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Author info:
Agrima Bhatt is an undergraduate student studying BSc. Biotechnology in Jaipur, Rajasthan. She is a science and research enthusiast who also loves to write articles and short snippets.
Some of her published articles at BioXone are:
- https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/molecular-mechanisms-underlying-virescent-mutation-in-cotton/
- https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/multi-angle-projection-microscope-a-novel-imaging-technique/
- https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/scientists-develop-novel-cholera-vaccine-from-rice-grains/
- https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/ai-predicts-the-relation-between-viruses-and-mammals/
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