Introduction:
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted into the human body via the bites of infected mosquitoes, and then infect red blood cells and destroy them.
If not treated, Malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. The world celebrates the World Malaria Day on April 25th of each year in recognition of efforts exerted on the global arena to combat Malaria.
Epidemiological Status of Malaria:
Internationally:
As per the latest report issued on Malaria in December 9th 2014, the rates of Malaria deaths declined by 47% over the period from 2000 – 2013.
Locally:
In 2014, some 2,305 positive cases of Malaria were recorded of which 2,254 are for foreigners (97.7% of the total recorded cases) and 51 local cases (2.2% of the total recorded cases) and an incidence rate of 0.37 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Internationally approved date: April 25th, 2015
Locally approved date: Rajab 6th, 1436H
The theme:
Targeted group:
- Malaria patients.
- Patient families and contacts.
- Health decision-makers.
- Medical staff, health associations and societies.
- The public.
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 of high epidemiology.
- Indoor residual spraying (IRS): It uses tiny aerosol sprays inside and outside rooms as a quick way to reduce density of mosquitos in places of increased cases of Malaria.
- 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.
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