Malaria, a vector-borne disease, is extremely common in tropical nations due to the wet and humid climate. Mosquito bites are the source of the sickness. One of the most prevalent symptoms of malaria is fever accompanied by trembling chills. Even though the sickness is quite widespread, adequate cleanliness and sanitation can prevent the spread of the disease.

According to new 2024 research in the Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health journal, India accounts for over 79% of malaria cases in Southeast Asia, and it faces particular challenges in its efforts to eliminate the disease.

Causes of malaria:
Malaria can develop if a mosquito carrying the Plasmodium parasite bites you. Humans can be infected with four different types of malaria parasites: Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. falciparum.
P. falciparum causes a more serious kind of malaria, and people infected are more likely to die.

Symptoms of malaria:
The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and a cold, which emerge within between ten and fifteen days of the bite. People who reside in endemic areas, on the other hand, may not exhibit signs due to their immunity.
Just mosquito bites from an infected mosquito can transmit malaria, which is not communicable and cannot spread from one person to another. More than 400 species of female Anopheles mosquitoes exist, with roughly 40 regarded as vector species capable of spreading disease.

Precautions for Malaria:
If you intend to live in or go to a malaria-prone location, consult your doctor about taking malaria-prevention drugs. You must take the medications before, during, and after your stay. Medications can significantly minimize the odds of contracting malaria. If you get malaria while taking these medications, they cannot be used to treat it.

To reduce your risk of contracting malaria, you should:
1. Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) to exposed skin.
2. Spread mosquito netting over the beds.
3. Put screens on the windows and doors.
4. Permethrin is an insect repellent that can be used on clothing, mosquito nets, tents, sleeping bags, and other materials.
5. Wear long pants and sleeves to protect your skin.

Also Read: World Malaria Day 2024: Here is everything you need to know