Malaria

What is malaria?

• Malaria is a life-threatening illness caused by infection of red blood cells by Plasmodium parasites.

• Transmission of malaria to humans occurs through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

what are the 5 species of plasmodium?

Plasmodium falciparum

Plasmodium vivax

Plasmodium ovale

Plasmodium malariae

Plasmodium knowlesi

Malaria cycle?

Mosquito bites a person infected with malaria

Parasite enters bloodstream & travels to liver

Infection develops in liver Re-enters bloodstream & invades red blood cells Parasite grows & multiplies in red blood cells

Infected red blood cells burst & release more parasites into blood

Symptoms of malaria?

• Fever (often 39°C or higher), sweats, and/or chills — absence of fever should not remove the suspicion of malaria.

• Headache.

• General malaise, lethargy, and fatigue — somnolence is more common in children than in adults.

• Anorexia, gastrointestinal disturbance (such as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea), and jaundice.

• Poor feeding in children.

• Myalgia

• Sore throat, cough, lower respiratory tract symptoms, and respiratory distress.

• Confusion.

factors affecting levels of exposure risk?

Temperature, altitude & season

Rural vs. urban location

Type of accommodation

Patterns of activity

Length of stay

Prevention?

ABCD of malaria prevention

Awareness of the risk Check destination; get travel health advice; www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

Bite prevention Insect repellent (DEET); cover up clothing; sleep in air conditioned room or under a bed net

Chemoprophylaxis Can reduce risk of malaria by 90%; use in combination with bite avoidance

Diagnosis Seek medical advice promptly if have fever/flu-like symptom

Chemoprophylaxis?