Adedokun Muhammad A.

The fact that human beings are not the only living organisms in the ecosystem makes it important to know and understand how to relate to the environment. We have diverse organisms with different ecological niches, some of which are capable of transmitting an infectious agent from one place to another, known as “vector(s)”.

Numerous are examples of vectors, but this article will enlighten you on one of these, that belongs to the Arthropods phylum and of the class Insecta, Mosquito.

A mosquito is a domestic insect with various species capable of transmitting infectious diseases, an example of which is Malaria.

Malaria is a non-communicable disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is life-threatening but preventable and curable. 

Cause

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Globally in 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608 000 malaria deaths in 85 countries. The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2022, the Region was home to 94% of malaria cases (233 million) and 95% (580 000) of malaria deaths. Children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.”

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start within 10-15 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito.

The most common early symptoms of malaria are:

1. Fever

2. Headache

3. Chills

Severe symptoms include extreme tiredness and fatigue, impaired consciousness, multiple convulsions, difficulty breathing, dark or bloody urine, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), and abnormal bleeding.

Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death. Infants, children under 5 years, travelers, and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk. Pregnant women are also at higher risk, as malaria infection during pregnancy can also cause premature delivery or delivery of a baby with low birth weight.

Preventive Measures

1. Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by spraying the surroundings with insecticides and also sleeping under treated nets.

2. Avoid breeding mosquitoes by ensuring the surroundings are kept clean, clear stagnant waters, and dispose of unused containers properly.

3. Get vaccinated (though under development).

4. Reading informative articles such as this to be enlightened in order to stay safe.

People with severe symptoms should get emergency care right away. Getting treatment early for mild malaria can stop the infection from becoming severe.