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Malaria
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Malaria is a single-celled protozoan parasite multiplying
exponentially in the liver and then in infected red blood cells;
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Four species infect humans by entering the
bloodstream via the bite of infected female mosquito which have
ingested parasites that have undergone another reproductive
phase inside the mosquito before being passed on to another
human;
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Malaria exists in 100 countries but is mainly
confined to poorer tropical areas of Africa, Asia and Latin
America with 90% of cases and the great majority of malaria
deaths occurring in tropical Africa;
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In 2002, the global number of people infected
with malaria was 42.28 million, 20.02 million men and 22.256
million women. Malaria deaths totalled 1.124 million i.e 3.080
people per day. Around 90% of these deaths occur in Africa,
mostly in young children. Malaria is Africa’s leading cause of
under-five mortality (20%) and constitutes 10% of the continent’s
overall disease burden. It accounts for 40% of public health
expenditure, 30-50% of inpatient admissions, and up to 50% of
outpatient visits in areas with high malaria transmission. It is
a heavy death toll, especially amongst children and pregnant
women;
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Treatment and control have become more difficult
with the spread of drug-resistant strains of parasites and
insecticide-resistant strains of mosquito vectors.
Insecticide-impregnated bednets are very efficient in reducing the
exposure to mosquitoes. The choice of drugs depends on the
resistance pattern in the area. The parasite is often resistant to
classical drugs like Chloroquine Sulfadoxin-pyrimethamine,.To avoid
resistance, use of combination drug (ex.mefloquine+pyrimethamine) is
recommended. Severe or cerebral malaria is usually treated with
injectable quinine. New drug like artemether was registered for
treatment of severe malaria.
Additional resources
Contact points at the European Commission for EC
research on malaria
Andreas.Holtel@ec.europa.eu
Jeanne.Gervais@ec.europa.eu
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