Transmission of Malaria
How is malaria transmitted?Plasmodium Falciparum is the prime contributing organism for malarial infection. This organism needs a human body and a female Anopheles mosquito for the completion of its lifecycle. The sexual reproduction of the protozoan occurs in the mosquito. The mosquito's bite transmits the immature form of the protozoan into the human body. This protozoan is reproduced in the mosquito. When these parasites attack the liver of a person, they are replicated and enter into the bloodstream. Here, these parasites attack the red blood cells.
These parasites are reproduced within the blood cells. These cells are ruptured when they are sucked by the mosquito. While rupturing, these cells start to release the parasites' sexual forms (male and female). Their union results in oocyst in a mosquito. Thousands of parasites are released into the mosquito's salivary glands when the oocyst matures.
What is Plasmodium?
It is the primary cause of malaria transmitted into humans by the Anopheles mosquito. It also infects the red blood cells of birds, reptiles and mammals. They exist worldwide especially in hot and moderate areas. The four most harmful species affecting humans are:
- Plasmodium Falciparum: It is most commonly found in the world. The incubation period for this parasite is of 2-4 weeks.
- Plasmodium Vivax: It is also found worldwide, but it is most common in Central and South America and India. Its incubation period is of 8-13 days. The spleen can be ruptured due to the infection.
- Plasmodium Malariae: This parasite is rarely found in the world. Its incubation period is of 2-4 weeks. The lack of proper treatment can be harmful.
- Plasmodium Oval: It is rarely found outside of Africa. Its incubation period is of 8-17 days.
How children die from malaria?
Malarial infection can be life-threatening for a young child. The following reasons can lead to a child's death:
- Severe anemia caused by repeated malarial infections. This makes the children more susceptible to diseases.
- Low weight caused by an infection during pregnancy. During the early days of birth, it was major risk factor responsible for child death.
- Seizures, cerebral malaria and prolonged fever.
Malaria is successfully eradicated from some quarters of the world, but its existence in some parts of Africa and Asia caused millions of deaths. In United States, more than 1,000 malaria patients are treated every year. Most of the malaria cases are transmitted from the foreign countries, than the direct transmission from the malaria infected person. So Americans are facing the recurrence of malaria besides the malaria prevention programs and campaigns.
People that have survived a malarial infection may suffer from brain damage. This can affect their long-term learning ability. It is noteworthy that 50,000 Plasmodium vivax have spread throughout South America, Asia and Africa. Millions of people in these areas face recurring illness after the treatment of the malarial infection.
