Malaria

“Each year 350-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide, and over one million people die, most of them young children in Africa south of the Sahara.” – CDC

(CDC Malaria Risk Map)

What is Malaria?

Malaria is the name of the disease transmitted by parasites living in only female Anopheles mosquito saliva. There are four identified protozoan parasites that can transmit the disease to humans, with a fifth parasite recently discovered in Borneo that originally effected monkeys. Once infected, the parasite travels to the liver where it hides and multiples. As time progresses the parasite circulates and burrows into the red blood cells where it continues to grow for weeks to months. Eventually the cell ruptures and reproduced parasites spread throughout the blood stream. The infected cells become sticky and adhere to the blood vessel walls, escaping death by spleen. It is difficult for you immune system to fight because the parasite hides in your liver and blood cells

History of Malaria:

Symptoms of malaria have been documented for 4,000 years.

Malaria is derived from old Italian word that translates to "Bad Air."

The first effective malaria treatment, Quinine, was originally used by the Quechua Indians of Peru in the form of cinchona tree bark to fight against fevers. It was later brought to Europe in the early 17th century as medication for the disease.

In WWII, approximately 60,000 US troops died in Africa and South Pacific because quinine was unavailable. The Axis powers had cut off the majority of Quinine supplying countries, like the Philippines.

The Center for Disease Control found its beginnings as the wartime Malaria Control agency. In 1951 malaria was eradicated from the US and the agency began a global campaign to eradicate the disease. It has been an ongoing process as mosquitoes build resistance to insecticides, parasites become resistant to drugs, and political issues prevent cooperation.

April 25 is World Malaria Day, which commemorates the date in 2000 when 44 African leaders committed to cutting malaria deaths in half by 2010.


Malaria Medication and Prevention:

There are several different medications you can take as a prophylaxis for malaria and you should talk to your physician or travel health agency like Passport Health to decide which one is best. There are several different factors to consider such as duration abroad, season, location of travel, and price. You can also check a countries malaria recommendations through the CDC.

We decided on Lariam (mefloquine) as it is advised for longer travels and you take it weekly instead of daily like Malarone or Doxycyline. Malarone was too pricey and Doxycycline can cause skin sensitivity to sunlight. As scuba divers we were initially concerned about taking Lariam since the side effects may mimic decompression illness, but after looking at our new route we found we wouldn't be taking it while diving. There is no proof of the drugs effects on SCUBA divers, but since it can potentially cause neurological side-effects it's better to play it safe if you will be diving.

For the low down on other popular anti-malaria tablets check with the CDC. It is recommended that you get your medication before you leave or in countries that properly regulate their pharmaceuticals. There has been an increase in fake anti-malaria pills in Southeast Asia and Africa.

A wise maxim states the best way to prevent malaia is to not get biten in the first place. So wear protective clothing, wear bug spray with DEET, and avoid being outside at dawn or dusk as this is when the Anopheles are out and about. There are several other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes like dengue, west nile, japanese encephalitis and yellow fever so don't rely solely on pills.


Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment:

So if your like me you WILL donate blood to mosquitoes and it's a good idea to know what the symptoms are. Symptoms can begin 7 - 14 days after infection and include fever, chills, headache, sweats, nausea/vomiting, body aches, and general malaise. These are pretty nonspecific and very similar to the cold and flu.

There are several anti-malarial drugs and several factors will determine how you will be treated. If caught early the disease can be effectively treated. If left untreated the disease can worsen to anemia, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and death. Currently there is no vaccine, as the parasite has a very complicated life cycle, but researchers are trying to get one in production.