Malaria nets are not for fishing

Researchers now state that local efforts to eradicate malaria could be seriously compromised due to medication-resistant parasites. Prevention is the key but lack of funding, education and follow through is undermining even the simplest of interventions.Malaria is an infectious disease that is commonly transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected person, the mosquito becomes the carrier of microscopic malaria parasites. When the mosquito bites again, these parasites mix with the mosquito’s saliva and are injected into the new person.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), half of the population is at risk of being infected – especially pregnant women and young children.Unknown to most, malaria can also be transmitted during pregnancy before and/or during childbirth. Malaria contracted at this time is called congenital malaria and is a major cause of infant death. Malaria co-infection is another major concern and occurs when two or more diseases are present at the same time. Pregnant women who have co-infection of HIV and malaria often suffer from anaemia, pre-term birth and low-birth weight babies.Although less common, blood transfusions, contaminated needles and syringes can also serve as mechanisms of malaria parasite transmission.WHO’s most recent estimates, released in December 2013, states “there were about 207 million cases of malaria in 2012 and an estimated 627 000 deaths. Malaria mortality rates have fallen by 45 per cent globally since 2000 and by 49 per cent in the African region.”Malaria often causes flu-like symptoms and, in severe forms, death. Despite scientific proof, some people still do not believe malaria exists and attributes the symptoms to witchcraft.As a basic guideline for protection against malaria, United Against Malaria recommends the distribution of two long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) per person.This standard typically provides two to five years of protection for a family, depending upon the size of the family, the type of net, the number of washings and the degree of care given. The average purchase cost is USD 5 per net.However, simply having access to a net does not appear to have a major impact on their actual use. Surveys indicate that within households possessing at least one insecticide-treated net, only 55 per cent of children under the age of five were found to have slept under a net the previous night.This has been attributed to poverty and disregard in high-risk communities. Some people have openly admitted to selling their anti-malaria mosquito nets or converted them into fishing nets instead of using them.In combination with nets, indoor residual spraying (IRS) is another effective malaria prevention technique. IRS is safe for humans but lethal to mosquitoes that land on walls within a structure. It has shown to significantly decrease mosquito and larvae populations, especially in communities where stagnant water is present, such as those near mines, farms or brick-making operations.Currently, there is no antimalarial medication or vaccine that gives complete protection. The best line of defence is prevention and reducing the risk of mosquito bites. Take the following steps to reduce the risk of malaria:-Avoid going out between dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active;-Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers;-Use insecticide-treated nets in bedrooms at night;-Apply insect repellent on any exposed skin and use indoor residual sprays in the home.Dr Cory Couillard is an international health columnist that works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals of disease prevention and control.Twitter: DrCoryCouillard