Malaria

Slovak term: Slovenský termín

1. Endemic or epidemic parasitic disease caused by four species of the protozoan genus Plasmodium which are transmitted to humans by the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes (WHO et al. 2003).

Explanation

Disease is characterised by high fever attacks and systemic disorders and is responsible for approximately 2 million deaths every year, 90% of which occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is the most serious and common vector-borne disease in the world.

The parasite Plasmodium is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells (WHO et al. 2003).

Approximately, 40% of the world’s population, mostly those living in the world’s poorest countries, are at risk of malaria. Every year, more than 500 million people become severely ill with malaria. Most cases and deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Europe are also affected. Travellers from malaria-free regions going to areas where there is malaria transmission are highly vulnerable (WHO et al. 2003).

References

• WHO, WMO, UNEP (2003) Climate change and human health: Risks and responses

Links

• WHO — The Health and Environment Lexicon
• WHO (2005) Using climate to predict infectious disease epidemics Malaria