World Malaria Day (WMD) is commemorated every year on April 25 and is focused on eradicating malaria around the globe. According to WHO’s recent World malaria report, there were an estimated 263 million cases and 597 000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023. This represents about 11 million more cases in 2023 compared to 2022. This is of course not good news, the only thing that is promising is that the number of deaths did not increase. Approximately 95% of the deaths occurred in Africa, where many at risk still lack access to the services they need to prevent, detect, and treat the disease. The other 5% occur mainly in the Eastern Mediterranean.
A lot of effort has been undertaken, especially by the Melinda and Bill Gates foundation and worth noting that as of November 2024, 44 countries and 1 territory had been certified malaria-free by WHO, and many more are steadily progressing towards the goal.
But What is Malaria?
Malaria is caused by a parasite and spreads to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Malaria is common in tropical and subtropical countries. People who have malaria usually feel very sick with a high fever and shaking chills.
What Can You Do?
To reduce malaria infections, world health organizations distribute preventive drugs and insecticide-treated bed nets to protect people from mosquito bites. The World Health Organization has recommended a malaria vaccine for use in children who live in countries with high cases of malaria.
In addition to wearing protective clothing, bed nets and insecticides for protection you can also take preventive medicine before, during and after trips to a high-risk area.
Since fever is one of the symptoms one way to monitor for Malaria is to do regular temperature checks, twice daily to track fever patterns. Using an easy-to-use, accurate thermometer like the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer to ensure that temperature measurements are reliable and precise. Early detection of fever allows for prompt medical attention.
Sources,
- WHO, https://www.who.int/news/item/11-12-2024-reinvigorated-global-efforts-needed-to-curb-rising-malaria-threat
Exergen PN 850411, Rev 1