F2 Malaria (vector borne disease, Subsaharan Africa)

Context

• Endemic in many tropical regions

• Caused by Plasmodium parasite, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes

Geographic factors affecting spread

• Warm temperatures (~25–30°C ideal for mosquito breeding)

• High rainfall creates standing water for mosquito larvae

• Humid tropical climate supports year-round transmission

• Rural areas with limited drainage systems
  
  what kind of diffusion does this affect?

Demographic impacts

• Around 249 million malaria cases globally (2022), majority in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Over 600,000 deaths annually, mainly children under 5

• High infant mortality rates in affected regions

• Reduced life expectancy in heavily affected countries

Socio-economic impacts

• Costs Africa an estimated $12 billion per year in lost GDP

• Reduced workforce productivity due to repeated illness

• High healthcare burden on already limited systems

• Impacts education due to absenteeism in children

OPTIONAL but covered in class
what actions did a named NGO take?

🏥“Nothing But Nets”

• Distributed insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) to reduce mosquito bites at night
  → over 2 billion nets distributed globally since 2000s

👉 Effect:

• as a result of NGO aid**, Death rates have fallen significantly since early 2000s (over 40% decline in some regions)
  
  **- not only due to NBN!!

OPTIONAL but covered in class
Government responses (Sub-Saharan African countries) to malaria

• National malaria control programmes (often supported by WHO/Global Fund)

• Free or subsidised bed nets in high-risk areas

• Improved access to rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in clinics

• Investment in health systems (but uneven due to limited funding)

👉 Limitation:

• Many governments have low healthcare budgets, so reliance on international aid is high