Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites that are transmitted through mosquito bites. The parasites, belonging to the genus Plasmodium, infect red blood cells and cause symptoms such as fevers and chills. Malaria prevalence is highest in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Prevention efforts focus on reducing mosquito habitats and bites through insecticides, bed nets, and antimalarial drugs. While challenging, global programs aim to continue reducing the malaria burden through strategies like early detection, treatment, and strengthening local control measures.

1. MALARIA MALARIA By: LAURETE, STEPHANIE O.

2. MALARIA -isan infectious disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Common in tropical countries, the disease is characterized by recurring chills and fever.

3. What are the parasites that cause Malaria? (GENUS)“Plasmodium” parasites cause Malaria in humans. *Five species of “Plasmodium”:

4. A microscopic image shows parasites of the genus “Plasmodium”

5. Mode of Transmission Infected female “Anopheles” mosquitoes transmit Plasmodium parasites from one person to another in their bites.

6. There are approximately 2,000 species of mosquitoes ranging from the tropics to the Arctic Circle and from sea level to mountaintops. Female mosquitoes have hypodermic mouthparts which enable them to pierce the skin and suck the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other arthropods. Female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles are responsible for transmitting the malaria parasite from person to person.

8. Life Cycle of the Malaria Parasite (MORE EXPLANATIONS)

9. Normal Red Blood Cells Sickled Red Blood Cells is that the hemoglobin in the human bloodstream is severely altered. The mutation changes the structure of red blood cells to a slender sickle shape. Individuals who inherit two hemoglobin genes with the sickle-cell mutation become ill and often die prematurely, but those who inherit only one gene with the mutation are resistant to malaria.

10. SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA The symptoms characteristic of malaria include flulike illness with fever, chills, muscle aches, and headache. Some patients develop nausea, vomiting, cough, and diarrhea. Cycles of chills, fever, and sweating that repeat every one, two, or three days are typical. There can sometimes be vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and yellowing (jaundice) of the skin and whites of the eyesdue to destruction of red blood cells and liver cells. People with severe P. falciparum malaria can develop bleeding problems, shock, liver or kidney failure, central nervous system problems, coma, and can die from the infection or its complications. Cerebral malaria (coma, or altered mental status or seizures) can occur with severe P. falciparum infection. It is lethal if not treated quickly; even with treatment, about 15%-20% die

13. Use bednets when sleeping in areas infested with mosquitoes.

14. Use insecticides and flying insect sprays to reduce the number of mosquitoes in areas where you will be spending a significant amount of time.

15. When possible, avoid camping or spending prolonged amounts of time in areas where standing water is present. Keep pots and pans emptied of water. Open vessels for drinking water should be covered. Mosquitoes use areas of standing water to lay their eggs.

17. Avoid going outdoors without protection in the evening, when mosquitoes are typically more active.

18. Wear long-sleeved clothing.

22. Clinical Diagnosis of Malaria -is confirmed by blood tests and can be divided into: 1.MICROCOPIC TEST and 2.NON-MICROSCOPIC TEST 1. Microscopic test-involves staining and direct visualization of the parasite under the microscope, & it includes: *Peripheral smear study- involves collection of a blood smear, its staining with Romanowsky stains and examination of the Red Blood Cells for intracellular malarial parasites. *Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) test- involves staining of the centrifuged and compressed red cell layer with acridine orange and its examination under UV light source.

23. 2.Non-microscopic test- involves identification of the parasitic antigen or the antiplasmodial antibodies or the parasitic metabolic products, & it includes: *Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)- detect species-specific circulating parasite antigens targeting either the histidine- rich protein-2 of P. falciparum or a parasite-specific lactate dehydrogenase. *Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)- has also been found useful in unraveling the diagnosis of malaria in cases of undiagnosed fever.

25. It can also be a problem for people visiting these countries.

28. During cooler seasons in some areas

29. In deserts (excluding the oases)

30. In some islands in the Pacific Ocean, which have no local Anopheles species capable of transmitting malaria

32. Malaria is transmitted year-round

33. P. falciparum predominates. *The highest transmission is found in Africa South of the Sahara. *In cooler regions, transmission will be less intense and more seasonal. There, P. vivax might be more prevalent because it is more tolerant of lower ambient temperatures.

34. Total Population, Morbidity and Mortality by Year, 1990-2004 (PHILIPPINES)

37. 2. Malaria Foundation International –is to facilitate the development and implementation of solutions to the health, economics and social problems caused by Malaria. 3. Global Malaria Programme (GMP) -is responsible for malaria surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, policy and strategy formulation, technical assistance, and coordination of WHO's global efforts to fight malaria. 4. Roll Back Malaria (RBM) -is a cabinet-level program launched by the World Health Organization (WHO), with the goal of reducing the global burden of malaria. 5. Movement Against Malaria -has our strategies: early detection and prompt treatment, use of available technologies designed to prevent the spread of the disease, strengthening local capability to implement community- based malaria control measures, and building a wide stakeholder network to help curb the disease.