Every year on April 25, World Malaria Day is observed by the World Health Organisation. The goal of this day is to take quick action in the fight against diseases that are dangerous, such as malaria. Every year, thousands of people in India succumb to mosquito-borne diseases, one of which being malaria.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The Plasmodium parasite, which causes malaria, is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitos through their saliva.
History & Importance of World Malaria Day
Africa Malaria Day inspired the creation of World Malaria Day. Africa Malaria Day has been recognised by African countries since 2001, with the inaugural commemoration taking place in 2008. A meeting hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) requested that Africa Malaria Day to be changed to World Malaria Day at the 60th session of the World Health Assembly in 2007. So World Malaria day is observed every year on 25th april with the idea of assisting in recognising the presence of malaria in various nations throughout the world, as well as raising worldwide awareness about the disease.
Theme of World Malaria Day 2022
“Use innovation to reduce the burden of malaria and save lives,” is the theme of World Malaria Day 2022. This year’s World Malaria Day will focus on the critical role that innovation plays in achieving global malaria eradication goals.
Symptoms of Malaria
When a person becomes infected with malaria, there are three general symptoms of malaria that can occur. The first symptom of malaria is a fever. This fever, which may be mild to severe in nature, usually occurs within 10 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. In some cases though, it can take up to 4 weeks for symptoms to show up after a bite from an infected mosquito.
Once someone has contracted malaria, he or she will have 2 more symptoms as well as having a fever. Those additional 2 symptoms are headache and nausea/vomiting (oftentimes vomiting blood). If left untreated, these additional 2 malarial symptoms could result in coma and death due to organ failure and brain damage that occurs during malarial infections.
Prevention of Malaria
The easiest way to protect yourself from malaria is to prevent mosquito bites by using bed nets, wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs and using a mosquito repellent (which are very effective). If you live in a country where malaria is common, it’s important to take these simple steps. You should also seek medical attention if you have a fever or flu-like symptoms after traveling in an area where malaria may be present. That way, you can get treatment early on, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. In many places in significant malaria transmission areas, there are programs that spray neighborhoods with insecticides.
Read more of our Health and Fitness Articles.
Hi there! I’m Vishnu. I was born and raised in Delhi, India. I am a freelance content writer and a blogger. I am currently a student studying at a prestigious Business school in India. I am an avid reader and writer.
