Health Education-MalariaMiss Chantelle Chaudoin MPH

Malaria A serious and sometimes fatal disease caused

by a parasite transmitted by a mosquito Patients with malaria are typically very sick with

high fever, shaking chills, and flu-like illness Four kinds of malaria parasites can infect

humans Plasmodium Falciparum (deadly) Plasmodium Vivax Plasmodium Ovale Plasmodium Malarie

Malaria Malaria is typically found in warmer

regions of the world. In tropical and subtropical climates.

Malaria parasites which grow and develop inside the mosquito need warmth to complete their growth before they are mature enough to be transmitted to humans.

Transmission People get bitten by an infected female anopheles mosquito (only

anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria) When the mosquito bites, a small amount of blood is taken which

contains a small amount of microscopic parasites The parasite grows and matures in the mosquito’s gut for about 7 days

and then travels to the mosquito’s salivary glands When the mosquito takes its next blood meal, these parasites are

mixed with the saliva and injected into the bite Once in the blood of the human the parasites travel to the liver and

multiply After 8 days or more the parasites leave the liver and enter red blood

cells where they continue to multiply Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ

transplants, or the shared use of needles or syringes, and to a mother to her fetus before or during delivery

Who is at risk for malaria? Anyone can get malaria Most cases occur in residents of

countries with malaria transmission and travelers to those countries

In non-endemic countries, cases can occur in non-travelers as congenital malaria, introduced malaria, or transfusional malaria

Symptoms of Malaria Fever Flu-like illness including: shaking, chills.

Headache, muscle ache, and tiredness Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also

occur. Anemia and jaundice may occur due to the

loss of red blood cells Plasmodium falciparum may cause kidney

failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma and death

Symptoms (cont.) Symptoms begin 10 days to 4 weeks after infection

although a person may feel ill as early as 7 days or as late as 1 year later

Plasmodium vivax and plasmodium ovale can relapse In plasmodium vivax and plasmodium ovale

infections some parasites can remain dormant in the liver for several months for up to 4 years after a person has been bitten by an infected mosquito

If an individual has symptoms after traveling in an malaria risk area they should seek medical help immediately

Preventing Malaria Keep mosquitoes from biting you especially at night Take anti-malaria drugs to kill the parasites Eliminate places around your home where

mosquitoes breed Spray insecticides on your home’s walls to kill adult

mosquitoes that come inside Sleep under mosquito nets – especially effective if

they have been treated with insecticides Wear insect repellant and long sleeve clothing when

outdoors at night Currently there is no vaccine for malaria

Questions Which kind of malaria parasite is most

deadly?a. Plasmodium falciparumb. Plasmodium vivaxc. Plasmodium ovaled. Plasmodium malariae

Questions Malaria is typically found in which

climate?a. Subtropicalb. Tundrac. Tropicald. A and C

Questions Which of the following is not a symptom

of malaria?a. Feverb. Rashc. Nausead. Headache

Questions Which two kinds of malaria can relapse?

a. Plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium ovale

b. Plasmodium ovale and plasmodium malariae

c. Plasmodium malariae and plasmodium vivax

d. Plasmodium vivax and plasmodium ovale

Questions There is no vaccine for malaria?

a. Trueb. False

Questions Name 3 ways to prevent malaria: