Let’s learn more about malaria in honour of today’s World Malaria Day. Do not take this lightly, because it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to infect someone with deadly parasites!
All about malaria: Understanding and combatting the disease
“Probably the worst headache, body aches, and chills you could ever imagine. I could not control my movements, and it felt as if an electric shock gun were stinging me repeatedly!”
These were the first words my dear friend said to me when we first met in person, following her recovery from malaria nearly 20 years ago.
I admit, I knew nothing about malaria at the time. I thought to myself, “Why can it result in someone being hospitalised?” among many other unanswered questions.
Out of curiosity, I took my father to the DBKU Library. Yes, you read that right — a library! It was my only source of knowledge at the time, as there were no smartphones that I could “ketek ajak” (as our premier said) like we have today.
When I read the facts about malaria, I was taken aback. Apparently, it is a serious tropical disease spread by mosquitoes!
This knowledge only serves to increase my dislike for mosquitoes. Not only am I allergic to the bites of these little flying insects, but they can also spread deadly parasites!
What exactly is malaria?
According to the International Journal of Public Health Research, malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that causes complications in red blood cells and human body organs.
It is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
Just so you know, female members of this genus of mosquitoes require blood to fertilise their eggs.
Thus, when a human is bitten by an infected Anopheles mosquito, the parasites enter the bloodstream and proceed to the liver of the victim.
The parasites then develop in the liver before re-entering the bloodstream and multiplying.
The red blood cells will rupture 48 to 72 hours after infection, releasing additional parasites and producing more infected red blood cells.
Additionally, malaria can also be transmitted during pregnancy and through blood transfusions.
Because of this, malaria can be fatal if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
Did you know that the prolonged hot weather in Malaysia creates an ideal climate for Anopheles mosquito development because it can accelerate the Plasmodium parasite life cycle?
Moreover, high humidity also increases the life cycles of parasites and mosquito eggs.
Extreme weather changes, such as heavy rain, can significantly boost mosquito breeding grounds, particularly in damp, stagnant areas.
Symptoms and risks
Fever, chills, and body aches are the main symptoms of malaria. In most cases, patients who receive early treatment can make a full recovery, reducing the likelihood of complications and the risk of re-infection.
However, malaria symptoms are comparable to those of other illnesses, such as influenza. Consequently, many patients disregard these initial symptoms.
It is essential that you get examined right away if you experience a high fever, particularly if you are pregnant, have recently returned from a country with a high risk of malaria, or have a weakened immune system.
It should be emphasised that malaria has been linked to a number of potentially fatal consequences, including severe anaemia, liver or renal damage, cerebral malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and complications during pregnancy.
Additionally, this disease is highly infectious, as infected mosquitoes can quickly spread it among large populations, especially in areas with inadequate access to healthcare and prevention measures.
Regrettably, resistance to antimalarial medication can develop over time in malaria parasites, complicating treatment and potentially leading to treatment failures.
This illness also disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups such as young children, expectant mothers, and individuals with weakened immune systems. These populations are particularly vulnerable in countries where malaria transmission rates are high and healthcare access is limited.
There is no doubt that malaria places a significant financial burden on affected countries due to healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and decreased tourism and investment. That is why it needs to be fully eradicated in Malaysia for the sake of our people and economy.
Where and who are the targets?
The Malaria Journal reported that Malaysia has more cases of malaria in high-forested areas than in low-forested areas. The study found a significant positive correlation between forest density and the number of malaria cases. The amount of forest is important because it increases contact between human hosts and the habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes, thereby increasing the chances of malaria transmission.
Males accounted for the majority of malaria cases in Sabah and Sarawak, which together accounted for over 75 per cent of all malaria cases reported in Malaysia.
It has been suggested that male adults are at higher risk of malaria infection than females due to occupational exposure to malaria vectors. This exposure includes work in agriculture, farming, or forest and plantation settings, such as palm oil plantations.
Up until 2017, Sabah and Sarawak had lower average case fatality rates compared to most states in Malaysia. This improvement indicated a better ability to detect severe Plasmodium knowlesi malaria (the most common species in the two states) at an early stage.
Protect yourself
Proactive measures to lower the likelihood of transmission are necessary for preventing malaria, especially in areas near the habitat of the Anopheles mosquito.
If you live in a place where malaria poses a serious threat to you and your family, the following tips may be particularly helpful.
Use mosquito nets and repellent while sleeping:
Both measures help protect individuals from mosquitoes that actively seek prey at night.
Insect repellent:
You can help keep mosquitoes away from your skin by applying a repellent lotion or spray. Repellents containing substances such as DEET, picaridin, or eucalyptus oil are proven to repel mosquitoes.
Avoid activities in high-risk areas:
Steer clear of activities in densely forested areas, rivers, and other damp areas — the primary habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes — as well as late afternoon and nighttime outdoor activities.
Wear protective clothing:
Socks and long-sleeved apparel can offer extra protection. Choosing light-coloured clothing can also help you avoid mosquito bites, as mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colours.
Treated mosquito nets:
Using insecticide-treated mosquito nets can reduce the likelihood of getting bitten by mosquitoes while sleeping by creating a protective zone in your living or sleeping area.
Destroy nesting areas:
Eliminate stagnant water containers, such as flower pots or abandoned ponds, to minimise mosquito populations and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Remember, even though the number of malaria cases has decreased significantly, there is still a need to improve malaria control and elimination programmes. Malaria remains a public health issue, especially in the hinterland and among indigenous groups living in less developed parts of Malaysia.
Furthermore, the influx of foreign workers from malaria-endemic countries and the challenge of malaria parasites developing resistance to anti-malarial drugs heighten the threat of the disease re-emerging.
While it poses a major health risk, its spread across the nation can be contained by raising community awareness.
Together, let us aim to eliminate malaria. It only takes one mosquito bite to infect a person, so do not give malaria a chance to bite!
