World Malaria Day 2023: Children are often more susceptible to the disease and at higher risk of contracting the virus due to their weaker immune systems than most adults.
World Malaria Day 2023: Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malaria, and Plasmodium ovale) that are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a relatively common disease in tropical regions. According to data from the Mayo Clinic, nearly 290 million people die each year from malaria. Children are often more susceptible to such diseases due to their weaker immune systems. However, with the evolution of the times, there have been vaccines and treatments that now help to recover better from the parasitic infection. Speaking of India, in 2021, our country accounted for 79 percent of all malaria cases in the Southeast Asia region, according to the World Malaria Report 2022, published by the World Health Organization (WHO). India also accounted for about 83 percent of all malaria deaths in the region.
However, the country has made great progress on its malaria elimination journey, seeing a reduction of almost 66 percent in its official malaria burden between 2018 and 2022.
World Malaria Day: Signs and symptoms of malaria in children
In children, high fever around is the first sign of malaria.
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- little appetite
- disturbed sleep
- Shaking chills
- General feeling of malaise.
Apart from these, here are some other common symptoms that are not usual in children:
- Headache
- nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fast breathing
- fast heart rate
- Cough
World malaria day: prevention tips
There are several ways to prevent malaria both at home and abroad.
At home:
- Install window screens
- Use mosquito repellent creams, sprays, etc.
- You can also put mosquito nets around the bedding.
When outside:
- Wear a long-sleeved dress and full bottoms to avoid parasite bites.
- Stay out of corners, bushes, and standing water.
- Apply mosquito repellent spray or cream, if possible.
In addition to these, maintaining a healthy hygiene, lifestyle, and good dietary practices is important to combat Malaria.
World Malaria Day: General advice to fight malaria
- Increase fluid intake
- Have a balanced diet with proper nutrients and have immunity boosting foods like fruits, nuts and seeds etc.
- Maintain a clean environment
- Do not allow water to stagnate as it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Have adequate vitamin D
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