Malaria Flashcards
What mosquito spreads malaria
Female Anopheles mosquito
Stand on head 45% or more
A vector for parasites
How does malaria spread
Anopheles mosquito acts as a vector for parasites
Sucks up parasites from human which multiply overtime
Saliva is secreted to make penetration easier - however this time it contains malaria which then infects the next person
Parasite then multiplies in the persons stomach
What are some prevention strategies against malaria
Fill in breeding places in dirt
Fill in cracks in walls
Mosquito nets and insecticide covered nets
Block windows and doors
Seals in cracks in the floor
Reduce statement water sources around areas of inhabitants
Drain breeding grounds - less practical though
Different medication and treatment - however this can cause immunity and different strains to form as malaria develops immunity
Common symptoms
Sweating, fatigue, muscle ache, liver damage, high blood pressure
Malaria is also known as the what? And how many people does it affect
The king of diseases as it’s the most widespread of all diseases in poor developing countries
Affecting more than 1 billion people
Physical factors affecting spread
The female anopheles mosquito likes to live in climates that are hot and wet, where temperatures are above 16 degrees and where there are plenty of water surfaces
Human factors
People can also create an environment that mosquitos like by building dams and irrigation channels. Many people in LICs migrate, spreading the disease from one place to another
Where does the female anopheles lay its eggs
In water
Role of aid agencies
Red Cross plays an important role when there’s an outbreak of malaria
Provides primary healthcare
Long term medical help by supplying medication and equipment
Educated people on importance of nets and to cover water containers and puddles due to the lessened ability for mosquitoes to lay eggs
What type of disease is it?
Contagious parasitic disease - communicable infectious disease
Which groups are more at risk from malaria
Those living in endemic areas - sub shariah Africa
Children - weak immune system
Individuals already struggling with morbidity and illness - weakened immune system
Immigrants and travellers - not as immune to disease
Human and physical factors linked with spread of malaria
HUMAN
Population density - risk of transmission
Urbanisation and migration - mass population growth can cause favourable conditions for malaria to spread e.g. slums
Socioeconomic factors - e.g. Poverty
Water management - deforestation and land use
PHYSICAL
climate - hot and humid
Proximity to water bodies
Vegetation and ecosystems - vegetation provides shelter food and shade
Altitude and topography - spread of malaria more prevalent in low lying areas ( HOWEVER AS CC IS CAUSING GLOBAL WARMING, mosquitos are accessing areas of higher altitude and latitude - increasing risk of transmission)
Why have some of the prevention methods been unsuccessful
Socioeconomic factors - unable to afford preventatives
Insecticide resistence
Inadiquate coverage and utilisation
Limited resources and infrastructure e.g. limited healthcare and insufficient funding
Geographic and epidemiological factors - malaria transmission patterns vary geographically and different regions have different challenges
How have aid agencies tried to control the spread
WHO - provides technical guidance, develops policies and coordinates initiatives to support countries in their elimination and control programmes
Vector control - agencies such as the red cross employ various methods to target and reduce mosquito population
Research and development - vaccines and medication as well as insecticides
