Malaria: A threat to Africa
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Loading... - Solange Hawa
- 24 Aug 2022
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Malaria is a severe disease that spreads when an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a person. The mosquito transfers plasmodium parasites to the person’s bloodstream
There are about four Plasmodium parasites; P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. These mainly target the Red Blood Cells.
Africa has the highest death ranking ranging between 80% t0 90% of the total worldwide malaria death cases each year and this mainly involves children. In Africa, about $12 billion is spent on prevention, treatment, and premature death each year.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Malaria is mainly associated with Fever and sweating, Headache and muscle aches, Fatigue, Chest pains, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting.
HOW CAN WE FIGHT MALARIA?
The threat of malaria in Africa has caused a lot of misery and calls upon a combined effort in fighting it. This can be done by fighting the high population of mosquitoes in Africa through:
1. Clearing bushy areas near homes as these act as hideouts for mosquitoes during the day. This would distort their habitat and cause a decrease in their population.
2. Drying and clearing off stagnant water near homes. Stagnant water provides a breeding area for mosquitoes and thus clearing it would cut off the breeding and decrease the population of mosquitoes.
3. Burning empty tins which could trap water and provide an alternative breeding site for mosquitoes after clearance of stagnant water. Read More...
