Introduction

          

What is Malaria?

SEM of a malaria mosquito 

          Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases progressing to coma or death. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The following link will show you the dictionary definition of Malaria. http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?t=52387

Structure of Plasomodium Vivax

          Five species of malaria can infect and be transmitted by humans. Severe disease is largely caused by Plasmodium falciparum while the disease caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae is generally a milder disease that is rarely fatal.Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonosis that causes malaria in macaques but can also infect humans. The structure of Plasmodium can be seen in the diagram on the left.

          There were an estimated 225 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2009.  An estimated 655,000 people died from malaria in 2010.  a decrease from the 781,000 who died in 2009 according to the World Health Organization's 2011 World Malaria Report, accounting for 2.23% of deaths worldwide.  However, a 2012 meta-study from the University of Washington and University of Queensland estimates that malaria deaths are significantly higher. Published in The Lancet, the study estimates that 1,238,000 people died from malaria in 2010.

One of the many pools of stagnant water in Africa  

          90% of malaria-related deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, with ~60% of deaths being young children under the age of five. Plasmodium falciparum, the most severe form of malaria, is responsible for the vast majority of deaths associated with the disease. Malaria is commonly associated with poverty, and can indeed be a cause of poverty and a major hindrance to economic development.

          A recent study showed that in Guinea, there are 75, 386 cases of malaria in 100, 000 people, whereas in Russia, China and a few other countries have only 1 case of malaria in 100, 000 people. The following link will show you a list of countries with the number of Malaria cases in 100, 000 people. Malaysia is ranked #63 in the list, with only 57 number of cases in 100, 000 people. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_mal_cas_per_100-malaria-cases-per-100-000