World Malaria Day: Tips to prevent from Malaria

For many people, home is the place where they feel the safest. It's the place where they live life the way they want. However, not many realize that some of the biggest dangers could be lurking in their homes. Mosquitoes - they are one of the biggest threats to a person's wellness. In no time, a mosquito can take flight and bite, disturbing your peaceful life.They are capable of spreading various diseases, and one of the most deadly among them is Malaria.

World Malaria Day is observed every year on 25 April to bring global attention to the efforts being made to bring an end to malaria and encourage action to reduce suffering and death from the disease.

This year’s theme, “Zero Malaria- Draw the Line against Malaria”, will explore initiatives for malaria elimination. It is a day to highlight the need for continued investment and consistent political commitment for malaria prevention and control.

Good health is important for the sustainable development of any countryand also for the fulfillment of SDG Goal 3, i.e., Good Health & Well- Being. The objectives of reducing the disease burden and eliminating malaria are intrinsically linked to the economic growth of the country.

Over the past two decades we have made great progress in the malaria fight, saving more than 7 million lives and preventing over 1 billion malaria cases. On this day, we mark successes in the fight against malaria, highlight the responsibility we all have to end malaria within a generation and urge leaders to step up the fight and get us closer to a malaria- free world.

Symptoms & Risks:

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called malaria vectors. There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species- P. falciparum and P. vivax- pose the greatest threat.

In a non-immune individual, symptoms usually appear 10- 15 days after the infective mosquito bite. The first symptoms- fever, headache, and chills- may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria.

Children with severe malaria frequently develop one or more of the following symptoms like severe anaemia, respiratory distress in relation to metabolic acidosis, or cerebral malaria. In adults, multi-organ failure is also frequent. In malaria endemic areas, people may develop partial immunity, allowing asymptomatic infections to occur.

Preventive Measures for Malaria:

To protect yourself and your family members from the menace of mosquitoes, you can follow these preventive measures-

As we know, Mosquitoes thrive in areas with stagnant water, so make sure that there is no stagnant water around your home or the place you are visiting.

Windows and doors of your room are covered with a screen/mesh. Make sure the mesh has no holes through which mosquitoes can enter.

Use good quality mosquito spray that reaches every nook and corner of the room and eliminates these mosquitoes and keeping you and your family safe. So, before going to sleep, spray it in your bedroom to kill any lingering mosquitoes.

Wear full pants, long sleeves, and thick and high socks to dissuade mosquitoes. It’s claimed that mosquitoes find light-colored clothes less attractive, so try to wear such colors. 

Avoid travelling to places where malaria outbreak has occurred. Take necessary precaution for Malaria.

Do not visit mosquito-infested areas like open ponds, polluted rivers and waste-filled water resources.

India’s Stand:

In case of India, Ending Malaria remains a top government priority. In 2016, India introduced its first National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030) and a National Strategic Plan (2017-2022) with the aim to eliminate malaria (zero indigenous cases) in all districts by 2022.

Mosquitoes show no partiality when it comes to humans. Be it old people, young adults, children or even infant, male or female, mosquitoes will bite as and when it gets a chance. Along with the theme which is designed to keep malaria initiatives on the political agenda, mobilize resources by making the message more personal, and impress on communities and individuals to take ownership of certain aspects of malaria prevention.

So let us make our world malaria free and healthier!