A parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. New vaccines offer hope for controlling this disease that causes hundreds of thousands of deaths annually.
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. In 2022, malaria caused an estimated 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths globally (WHO, 2023).
Children under 5 years account for approximately 80% of malaria deaths in Africa. The disease is preventable and treatable, but control efforts have been challenged by drug resistance and climate change affecting mosquito habitats.
Vaccination (RTS,S/AS01, R21/Matrix-M) is available in eligible regions. The following describes established medical consensus for clinical management.
Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) is the WHO-recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Common ACT regimens include Artemether-Lumefantrine and Artesunate-Amodiaquine. IV Artesunate is the preferred treatment for severe malaria requiring hospitalization. For P. vivax and P. ovale malaria, Primaquine is added to eradicate liver hypnozoites and prevent relapse. Critical warning: G6PD screening is required before administering Primaquine — it can cause life-threatening hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient patients. Primaquine is contraindicated in pregnancy and infants under 6 months. Artemisinin resistance is an emerging concern in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Treatment decisions must be made by a qualified healthcare provider.