2005 James Gathany, Frank Collins This photograph depicts a Anopheles funestus mosquito partaking in a blood meal from its human host. Note the blood passing through the proboscis, which has penetrated the skin, and entered a miniscule cutaneous blood vessel. The Anopheles funestus mosquito, which along with Anopheles gambiae, is one of the two most important malaria vectors in Africa, where more than 80% of the world's malarial disease and deaths occurs. Humans infected with malaria parasites can develop a wide range of symptoms. These vary from asymptomatic infections, i.e., no apparent illness, to the classic symptoms of malaria including fever, chills, sweating, headaches, muscle pains, to severe complications such as cerebral malaria, anemia, and kidney failure, and even death. The severity of the symptoms depends on several factors, including the species of infecting parasite, and the infected humanís acquired immunity and genetic background.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), says Africa reported more than 600,000 deaths from malaria in 2021.
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said this in a message to commemorate World Malaria Day.
World Malaria Day is marked annually on April 25 to focus global attention on malaria, and its impact on families, communities and societal development, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
This year’s theme is ‘Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives’.
Moeti said the past year saw significant breakthroughs in malaria prevention and control including the recommendation of the use of the first vaccine against malaria, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She, however, noted that malaria remains a “significant public health and development challenge”.
“In the last year, about 95% of the estimated 228 million cases occurred in the WHO/AFRO Region , along with 602,020 reported deaths. Six of our countries, the worst-impacted by malaria in the Region, are reported to have accounted for up to 55% of cases globally, and for 50% of these deaths,” the statement reads.
“Despite some slowing of progress to reduce malaria cases and deaths, and the disruptions to health services caused by COVID-19, we are still much further ahead than we were in 2000. We need to reignite that momentum, and build on the recent advances.
“The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of people catching and dying from malaria. This requires a focus on research and on leveraging available evidence to ensure that our targeted interventions are an efficient use of resources, which produce measurable results.
“We also need to work on drug and insecticide resistance, as well as focus on new strains of malaria arising in the Region, which are more difficult to detect, and treat.
“Malaria is, however, about much than medical and technological interventions. Malaria affects households and communities, and these communities need to be empowered to play an active role in the fight against this disease. As WHO in Africa, we recognize that a whole-of-society approach requires us to listen to, and learn from, those who are worst impacted.
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