Introduction:
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.
The world celebrates the World Malaria Day every year on April 25th, 2012. This year's Day is held under the theme: “Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria”. Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes.
Malaria Epidemiological Status:
Globally:
In 2010, about 3.3 billion people (almost half of the world's population) were prone to the risk of malaria. As a result, about 216 million people are affected by the disease each year ever since, claiming the lives of 655000. It should be noted, the world's poorest regions are the most susceptible to the disease.
Locally:
In 2011, a number of 2788 malaria cases were recorded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, out of which 69 cases are Saudis (2.4 per cent of the total malaria cases). This percentage corresponds to the incidence: 0.44 cases for every 100.000 persons. Saudi cases have been recorded in Jazan Region and Assir Region (59 cases in Jazan Region and 9 cases in Assir Region, in addition to one case in Al-Qunfudah Region.)
The Saudi Strategy for Malaria Combat places emphasis on the following pivots:
- Focal spraying: thereby combating larvae in breeding sites inside the Kingdom, especially in infection transmission places, and places of high epidemiology.
- Spraying houses with a long-lasting insecticide, especially in places where malaria is likely to prevail.
- Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is the process of spraying the inside of dwellings with an insecticide to kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, especially in infection transmission places, and places of high epidemiology.
- Using mechanical techniques for combating malaria in the breeding sites of mosquitoes.
- Distributing mosquito-nets sprayed with the insecticide on the vulnerable people.
- Intensifying health awareness programs.
Internationally Approved Date: 25/4/2012.
Locally Approved Date: 15/6/1434H.
Theme of the World Malaria Day 2013:
“Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria”
Targeted Groups:
- Malaria patients.
- Their families.
- Health decision-makers.
- Medical staff, health associations and societies.
- The public.
Health Messages of the World Malaria Day 2013:
The World Malaria Day, appointed by the World Health Assembly in its 60th round (2007), is reckoned an occasion to take a look at the efforts made worldwide for malaria combat. It is also an occasion:
- For poor countries lying in the regions stricken by malaria to draw lessons from other countries, and consolidate their efforts one another.
- For new donors to take part in worldwide partnership for combating malaria.
- For research and academic institutions to put forth their scientific achievements before experts as well as the public.
- For international partners, and other institutions and enterprises, to shed light on their efforts, and develop techniques to enhance the methodologies proven to be successes.
Logo:
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Related Links:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Mayoclinic medical website
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