Background Flashcards
Background facts about malaria
How many million malaria cases in 2022, according to WHO
249 million
2022 WHO: which continent has a disproportionately high burden of malaria cases, what % / number of total malaria cases do they have and what % of malaria deaths
Africa
94% cases/ 233 million
95% of deaths
2022 WHO: children under 5 in africa make up what % of malaria deaths
80%
Compare the malaria 2020 figures to 2022 figures, according to WHO
Increase in malaria cases by 9 million from 2020 to 2022, from 241 m to 249 m
Fatalities reduced by 19,000 from 2020 to 2022
from 627 thousand in 2020 to 608 thousand in 2022, decrease of 19,000
what 4 countries in Africa account for half of global malaria deaths
Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Republic of Tanzania, Mozambique
What factors contribute to the high malaria burden in countries like Mozambique, Gambia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Environmental Conditions: Favorable climates for mosquito breeding (warm, humid, and abundant stagnant water).
Weak Healthcare Infrastructure: Limited access to healthcare facilities, diagnostic tools, and treatment options.
Economic Challenges: High levels of poverty reduce access to preventive measures like insecticide-treated nets and medication.
Civil Unrest and Political Instability: Displacement of populations and disruption of malaria control programs due to conflicts.
How has progress in fighting malaria stalled from 2015?
Rise in malaria cases from 2015-2016, from 211 million to 216 million
5 million rise in malaria cases from 2015-2016
what is malaria
infectious disease caused by plasmodium parasites, spread by infected mosquitos
- commonly causes flu-like symptoms, but in a low % of cases it can develop into a life-threatening disease know as severe malaria
- disease of tropics and subtropics, sub Saharan Africa and south east Asia carry main burden of cases
What are the possible outcomes to malarial disease?
- asymptomatic
- clinical malaria (uncomplicated)
- clinical malaria - severe malaria (1-2%)
- death - 10-20% of severe malaria cases
what is severe malaria and what does it involve?
It occurs when the infection leads to complications such as:
Cerebral malaria: Impaired consciousness or seizures.
Severe anemia: Very low red blood cell count.
Organ dysfunction: Affects kidneys, lungs, or liver.
Respiratory distress: Difficulty breathing.
Requires urgent treatment with intravenous antimalarial drugs (e.g., artesunate) and supportive care.
what factors can determine the outcome of malaria infection?
age: burden of severe disease under 5 age, older children and adolescence might have uncomplicated malaria and older age = asymptomatic disease
- immune status, acquisition of partial immunity through constant exposure. Age related pattern of disease
- host genetics: sickle cell trait, red blood cell polymorphisms - blood group O less risk of severe malaria than A or B
- environmental factor: access to drugs, healthcare
- parasite factors, sequestration, overall parasite burden
name some malaria species that can infect humans
p. falciparum, vivax, malariae, ovale, knowlesi
Plasmodium falciparum
Most severe form; causes the majority of malaria-related deaths.
Found mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, also in Asia and South America.
causes sequestering and rosetting
plasmodium vivax
Causes relapsing malaria due to dormant liver-stage hypnozoites.
Predominant in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa, South America
plasmodium malariae
Causes chronic, low-level infections; less severe but persistent.
Found worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
