MALARIA

 Vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites

called Plasmodium
 Transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles
mosquito
 May also be transmitted through transfusing blood
that is:
 positive for malaria parasites
 sharing of IV needles
 transplacental mechanism
Malaria in the Philippines
 Four Common Species of Malaria parasites in the
Philippines:
 Plasmodium falciparum – 70% of malaria cases
 Plasmodium vivax – 30% malaria cases
 Plasmodium malariae
 Plasmodium ovale
 P. falciparum malaria, if not treated immediately, can
lead to severe malaria, such as cerebral malaria
 P. vivax malaria does not lead to cerebral malaria but it
causes relapse if treatment was not completed
 The adult female Anopheles mosquito that can
become infective and therefore carries the malaria
parasite after she bites a person infected with malaria

 Bites from dusk to dawn and it breeds in clear, slow

flowing streams that are flow in mountainous/forested
areas or in brackish water where salt and fresh water
meet. This is usually found in coastal areas.
 Certain Philippine municipalities of the 63 provinces
are endemic for malaria
 Persons who are living in malaria endemic areas may
develop partial immunity to the disease
 However, the may not manifest symptoms of malaria
but when their blood smear is examined under the
microscope, one can see malaria parasites in his/her
blood smear
Malaria Control Program
 Utilizes a two-pronged approach to the control and
elimination of malaria:
 Vector Control
 use of chemically treated mosquito nets
 larva-eating fish
 environmental clean-up of stagnant water
 use of anti-mosquito soap
 chemoprophylaxis of chloroquine 1-2 weeks before
entering a high malaria-risk area continuous until 4-6
weeks after leaving the area
 Second Strategy:
 early detection and treatment of cases through early
recognition, prevention, and control of malaria
epidemics
 requires the identification of a patient with malaria as
soon as he is examined
 may be done through clinical signs and symptoms,
microscopic examination of blood smear, or a history
of visit or travel to an endemic or high malaria-risk
area
 In the event of an imminent epidemic occurs:
 mass blood smear collection
 immediate confirmation and follow-up of cases
 insecticide-treatment of mosquito nets must be done
Treatment for Malaria
 Treated by taking the appropriate anti-malarial
medicines against the particular malaria species found
in the blood smear of the patient

 A blood smear has to be done to find out what

particular species is present in the patient’s blood

 It is also advised to complete the dosage of anti-

malarial medicine prescribed to the patient
 At present, there is no vaccine against malaria.
However, malaria vaccine development is still on-
going
Preventive Measures against
Malaria
 For those living in a malaria-risk area, the following are
recommended:
 Sleep inside an insecticide-treated mosquito net every
night
 Screen windows and doors or in the sleeping area
 Wear long sleeves and long pants during night time
activities
 Use insect repellant during night time activities
 Consult immediately to the nearest health facility when
experiencing symptoms of malaria and complete the
medications as instructed. Do not self-medicate
 For those persons who are going to a malaria endemic
area, the following may be necessary:
 Consult the Provincial Health office or Rural Health
Unit of the province/area for medical advice
 Chemoprophylaxis is given as follows:
o Doxycycline 100mg daily for 2-3days before going to
an endemic area, continue while in the endemic area
and continue for 4 more weeks after leaving the
endemic area
o Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnant women
and children 8 years and below.