Introduction
One of the most common and dangerous infectious diseases is malaria, caused by the protozoan Plasmodium, carried by mosquitoes. The disease is present in tropical and subtropical regions and can lead to death, especially in infants, children, and pregnant women.
Disease Origin and Evolution
The history of malaria goes back to the depths of human history. Some sources claim that Hippocratic texts written more than two thousand years ago describe the symptoms of malaria (Skolnik, 2021). The disease was widely spread in Europe until the 19th century, and its impact on the colonization of Africa and Asia was enormous. Several species of Plasmodium can cause malaria, but the most common are Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
Prevention Drugs
Most vaccines used to prevent malaria were developed for Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous species. Vaccination is currently one of the most effective means of preventing malaria. GlaxoSmithKline developed the malaria vaccine RTS, S/AS01. The vaccine contains a protein found on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum, creating antibodies in the body to protect against the disease (Frischknecht, 2023).
Vaccination is done in several stages over several months and has proven effective in many studies. In addition to vaccination, treating malaria includes using antibiotics and other medications such as chloroquine, artemisinin, and their derivatives. Treatment should be done under the supervision of a doctor and started as soon as possible to prevent complications.
Barriers to Disease Elimination
However, despite the successes in vaccine development, it should be noted that there is still no perfect way to prevent and treat malaria. Some strains of Plasmodium become resistant to the drugs used, making it difficult to treat the patients. In addition, malaria can lead to various complications, such as anemia, renal failure, organ failure, and death (Frischknecht, 2023).
Approaches to Address the Disease
One of the strategies for combating malaria is the control of insect vectors that transmit the disease. Various methods are used for this, such as the use of repellents, improved sanitation and drainage, the use of mosquito nets, and the application of insecticides (Frischknecht, 2023). Some of these methods also help to prevent other insect-borne infectious diseases.
Conclusion
Malaria is a severe global health problem that kills thousands of people yearly. Although vaccination and treatment can be influential, many people in developing countries do not have access to the necessary health services (World Health Organization, 2022). Therefore, it is essential to continue developing new methods of prevention and treatment and raise public awareness of measures to prevent and treat malaria.
References
Frischknecht, F. (2023). Malaria: Deadly parasites, exciting research, and no vaccination. Springer Nature.
Skolnik, R. (2021). Global Health 101 (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
World Health Organization. (2022). World Malaria Report 2022. World Health Organization.