World Maleria Day

By Author: rajat ziffytech
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World Maleria Day is observed on 25 April every year to recognize global efforts to fight maleria globally. The day is organized by the WHO and was established in the 60th session of the World Health Assembly in May 2007. The day was formed to present information and improves understanding of maleria and spread information on “year-long intensified implementation of national maleria-control strategies, including community-based activities for maleria prevention and treatment in endemic areas.”

The day was established to provide “education and understanding of maleria” and spread information on World Maleria Day 2020 WHO and RBM form a partnership to end maleria with the campaign “Zero maleria starts with me” a campaign aimed to keep maleria high on the political agenda, organize additional resources, and authorize local authorities to take ownership of prevention and care of the disease.

The report for 2019 shows that no substantial gains have been made in reducing the number of maleria cases between 2014 and 2018. The zero maleria campaign wants to engage more members in civil society from political leaders controlling governmental policy, the private sector that will benefit from a maleria-free workforce, and the local communities affected by maleria.

What is Maleria?

Maleria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is transmitted by infected mosquitoes bites. the parasite causing maleria Plasmodium parasites and is spread through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes, called “maleria vectors”. The symptoms of the disease occur 10 to 15 days after being bitten by the infected mosquitoes. Children with severe maleria can have symptoms such as severe anemia and respiratory distress. Adults can go in multi-organ failure

Symptoms of maleria are:-

Fever
Chills
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Muscle pain and fatigue.
There two major types of maleria in India Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum Maleria is common in Asia, Africa, and South America.

To diagnose maleria the doctor will review your medical history, conduct a thorough physical exam. The doctor near me will order blood tests at home. The blood tests detect the type of maleria parasite and confirm the presence of the parasite.

Maleria is a preventable and treatable disease. If diagnosed early maleria can be treated with no complications. Treatment option depends on the severity of the disease, the type of parasite, and if ant malerial tablets were taken. The doctor near me may treat your condition with a combination of the drugs.

India has been showing declining trends of maleria from 2 million cases in 2001 to 1 million cases in 2017. India still has 90% of the cases in South East Asia. Global targets cannot be achieved without involving India.

The Government of India developed the National Framework of Maleria Elimination and National Strategic Plan (NSP, 2017-18) with the aim to eliminate maleria in Category 1 and category 2 districts in 2022. Category 3 or high transmission districts aims to bring it under pre-elimination status.

The NSP is initially targeting low and moderate transmission districts (Category 1 and category 2). Surveillance is an important part of the maleria elimination program aimed at assessing transmission and thereby ranking it for interventions and monitoring the impact of the intervention. Rapid Diagnostic Testing for people who live in maleria districts has improved diagnosis.

To prevent the spread of maleria you need to prevent mosquito bites. There are effective measures suggested by the government:-

Control Insect Breeding
Individual prevention
Prevention in control
Prevention during travel
Preventing maleria during pregnancy.