April 25th 2015 marks World Malaria Day where people around the world take part to create more awareness on this deadly disease.
Malaria is a life-threatening blood disease that caused by Plasmodium parasite which is transmitted to humans via Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease if it is diagnosed and treated in its earlier stage.
Even though dengue is a more significant threat, malaria has claimed quite a number of lives over the years. In 2013, 3,851 malaria cases were reported with 15 deaths recorded in Malaysia. People suffered from malaria every year due to lack of proper awareness so in order to help you out, we have compiled top 5 scary malaria facts that you should know about.
Fact #1
Malaria is transmitted when a person is bitten by Anopheles mosquito that has been infected with the Plasmodium parasite.
Fact #2
Malaria is especially dangerous for pregnant women as the parasite can enter the mother’s womb and infect her foetus as well. Once infected, the baby may be born with low birth weight which may eventually leads to death.
Fact #3
The female Anopheles mosquito is the main culprit in the transmission of the parasite from one person to another.
Fact #4
In 2013, 90% of the world’s malaria deaths occurred in Africa and over 430 thousands of African children died before their 5th birthdays.
Fact #5
Symptoms of malaria including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting only appear 10-15 days after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito.
As scary as it may be, the good news is malaria cannot be transmitted without a vector so here are some quick tips on ways to minimise your risk of Anopheles mosquito bites!
• Anopheles mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, so you should take extra precautions during these times.
• Mosquito repellent containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) is recommended to deter mosquito when you are outdoor.
• Discard any water collected in the pots and add larvicide at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
• Install mosquito screens on windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your house.
• Carry out fogging treatment at least once a month to eliminate breeding of adult mosquitoes.
To learn more ways of protecting your family from nasty mosquitoes, visit our mosquito control page to find out more!
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