World malaria day, which is observed on 25th April every year brings light to the efforts to control malaria and celebrate the breakthroughs that have been made. World malaria day helps mark the historic progress against it and saving dozens of lives. Malarial DNA was discovered in Egyptian mummy tissues from 4,000 years ago and in amber from as far back as 100 million years ago. Ancient writings from Sumeria, China, and India are all thought to reference the mosquito-borne disease. And the ancient Greek ‘father of medicine’ Hippocrates is credited with providing one of the first descriptions of the disease around 350-450 BC.

How is malaria transmitted?

People get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria, they must have been infected through a previous blood meal taken from an infected person.

The initial symptoms of malaria:

• headaches
• vomiting
• muscle pains
• diarrhea
• generally feeling unwell
• a high temperature of 38C or above

Prevention:

• Apply an insect repellent to your skin and clothing. Sprays containing DEET can be used on skin and sprays containing permethrin are safe to apply to clothing.
• Sleep under a mosquito net, bed nets, particularly those treated with insecticide, help prevent mosquito bites while you are sleeping.
• Make sure the room doors and windows are closed properly and screened with gauze to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside.
• Keep your home and surroundings clean.
• Clear any stagnant water in and around your home.

Detailed information about the prevention.

Malaria is curable and preventable. Treatment for malaria is rapid, effective, and inexpensive. Malaria is treated with prescription drugs to kill the parasite. People underestimate certain aspects and think malaria is not deadly or the same person does not get affected twice but both are myths malaria could be deadly and people can contract it more than once. World malaria day educates people on the transmission, prevention, and treatment of this fatal disease.