Mosquito bite that causes malaria
In India, malaria still poses a serious threat to public health despite considerable improvements in recent years. To save yourself and all around you against this preventable disease, it is essential to understand the risk factors and its preventive measures.
Recognising the spread of malaria: Plasmodium parasites are the cause of malaria, an infectious disease spread by mosquitoes. Via contaminated blood feeds, the Anopheles mosquito spreads the parasite to people. Because these mosquitoes breed in stagnant water bodies, malaria transmission is more common in locations with poor drainage especially during the monsoon season (June to September)
In India, who is most vulnerable to malaria?
* Travellers: People travelling to or relocating to locations where malaria is endemic, especially those that are mountainous, forested or tribal belts, are at high risk.
* Individuals who live close to bodies of stagnant water: In peri-urban and rural regions, mosquitoes that thrive in puddles, ponds or badly maintained drainage systems constitute a serious menace.
* People with impaired immune systems: Those with HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and children under five are particularly vulnerable to severe malaria.
* Communities without adequate preventive measures and sanitation.
Effective ways to stop malaria:
● Bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticides (LLINs): The most effective way to prevent malaria is to sleep under insecticide treated LLINs. Make sure you have full coverage. Given that they are more susceptible to the illness, pregnant women and small children should especially use LLINs.
● Repellents for insects: Carefully follow the directions on the package when applying repellents containing DEET(Diethyl toluamide), picardin, or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothes. Especially during outdoor activities in the evenings and early mornings when mosquitoes are most active, repellents offer an extra layer of protection.
● Minimise sites for mosquito breeding: Avoid water stagnation from the areas surrounding your house, making sure drainage systems are in working order, and controlling vegetation close to homes. By supporting neighbourhood-level programmes for trash management, mosquito breeding grounds can be greatly reduced.
● Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS): Insecticides are frequently sprayed outdoors, and repellents are used indoors as part of public health campaigns to kill mosquitoes. When such programmes are offered in your region,participate in them. IRS campaigns are an effective strategy for managing mosquito populations, and their success depends on community involvement.
● Early diagnosis and treatment: Seek emergency medical assistance if you have any of the following symptoms, especially after visiting a high-risk area - fever, chills, sweating, headache, muscle pains or exhaustion. Complications and transmission can be avoided with early diagnosis and timely medical care. Effective therapy of malaria and stopping the disease's spread depend on early symptom recognition and medical consultation.
