WORLD MALARIA DAY TODAY

WORLD MALARIA DAY 25^TH APRIL 2022

MOSQUITO SPEARED IN WATER LOGGED AREAS

Every year 25^th April is observed as World Malaria Day in order to bring to light the need for eradication of malaria globally. This year, the World Health Organization has marked this day with apt theme.

THEME MARKED BY WORLD MALARIA DAY

This year the World Health Organization has marked World Malaria Day under the theme  “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.”. With this theme in point, it is a mandatory requirement to take a number of initiatives by way of allocation of funds for publicity by the Government agencies and also conduct mosquito sprays and regular fogging to prevent mosquito breeding. Here both the Government Health Services and the general masses have to play their part.

PROVISION OF MEDICINES FOR THOSE HAVING SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA

In addition, hospitals and dispensaries should provide medicines such as quinine, oxycycline, tigecycline, clindamycin, azithromycin or co-trimoxazole (As prescribed by the doctor), along with spreading awareness campaign about keeping the area neat and clean so that all the houses and its surrounding areas are free from mosquito breeding.

PREVENTIVETIVE MEASURES FOR BREETING OF MOSQUOTOES

We all are aware that malaria is spread by mosquitoes and these parasites thrive while we create appropriate conditions for their survival and breeding. We have seen that rainy season is the most potent for these parasites to breed and infect people. Meaning, we ourselves are responsible for their spread and subsequently spread of the vector borne diseases which is considered as the fifth most dangerous diseases which have spread globally after diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and diarrhea especially in low income countries. Presently,  Covid pandemic infection too is raising its head in many countries.

For this purpose, the following preventive measures needs to be made:-

COVERING OF WATER CONTAINERS

The overhead tanks or containers are to be covered properly with a strong lid so that there is no overflow. It should be noted that the free flow of water and contamination of water in pots becomes a breeding place for breeding of malaria larva. The leaking pipes and overflowing water should be stopped forthwith.

WATER KEPT IN POTS AND BROKEN CONTAINERS BECOME BREEDING PLACES FOR MOSQUITOES

Water kept in pots, broken containers/broken tyres kept in the vicinity of house or on the rooftops become most suitable places for the breeding. Care should be taken that either these unnecessary pots and containers are either cleaned on daily basis or dispensed with as these do not serve any purpose except to spread the mosquitoes hazard.

WATER COOLERS AND THE WATER CONTAIN IN THESE

It has also been observed that water which is put in the coolers used in the houses is not recycled on daily basis or weekly basis as the case may be. Alternatively, a spoon of k.oil should be put in such coolers so as the prevent the breeding of the malaria parasite. The coolers too are not cleaned properly therefore these become a breeding place for the mosquitoes.

PERSISTENT LEAKAGE OF WATER FROM THE PIPES

It has been observed that at many places due to the persistent leakage of water from the pipes on the streets, water gets collected and after sometimes gets stagnated/contaminated and thereafter becomes a breeding ground for malaria. All the street pipes should be leak-free to avoid leakage of water.

WEARING OF FULL SLEEVS WHERE MHERE MOSQUITO MANCE IS MORE CAN PREVENT MOSQUOTO BITES

In order to get escape from mosquito bites, full sleeve shirts should be borne where mosquito prevalence is widespread. 

PERIODIC FOGGING AND SPRAYING ANTI-MALARIA SPRAYS

Fogging or spraying should be done regularly to prevent mosquito breeding.

USE OF MOSQUITO REPELLANTS

Mosquito repellants can also be used as a temporary measure in order to prevent mosquito bites and thus its prevention.

AWARENESS ABOUT THE VECTOR BORNE DISEASES

Awareness campaign to know about vector borne diseases including malaria (Anopheles mosquitoes), dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika (Aedes mosquitoes), Japanese encephalitis, etc.

GIVERNMENT AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS TO WORK IN TENDUM TO ERADICATE MALARIA

All the hospitals (Governmental and the private) should join hands in eradication of the vector borne illnesses.

SEASON FOR SPREAD OF MOSQUITO HAZARD 

As the malaria breeding happens in rainy season therefore maximum preventive measures should be exercised prior hand so as to enhance awareness and also be ready for meeting the onslaught of the malaria related diseases if it turns widespread.

In India, due to the efforts of both Governmental and private agencies, there has been reduction in malaria cases but more needs to be done in order to eradicate malaria hazard completely.

It is also a fact that malaria is a disease which could be treated if disease us detected and proper medicine given. Need is to increase our focus on the regions wherein there is more burden of malaria globally.

I am of the opinion, if we have to realize the total eradication of malaria from the earth, all of us must be aware about its spread and how best to keep ourselves protected if and when malarial infection happens. One thing is clear, the message should be loud and clear that it is a disease and nobody should die due to malaria if timely detection and medi-care is provided on time.