Chain of Infection - Malaria

06.

Who is most at risk:

The most vulnerable are persons with no or little immunity against the disease. In areas with high transmission (such as Africa south of the Sahara), the most vulnerable groups are:

• Young children, who lack immunity.
• Pregnant women, as their immunity is decreased by pregnancy.
• Travelers coming from areas with little or no malaria transmission, lacking immunity.

The people most at risk for Malaria are those who are yet to develop necessary immunity and cannot defend themselves against the disease.

Chain of Infection - Malaria

05.

Impact of Malaria on People and Communities

Stats:

In 2020, malaria caused an estimated 241 million clinical episodes, and 627,000 deaths (CDC, 2021).

African region:

The African Region obtains a high share of the worldwide malaria burden. In 2021, Africa was home to 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Children under the age of five accounted for approximately 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.

Malaria has had a major impact on people and communities around the world with mortality, morbidity, labour absence, greater healthcare costs and poverty all resulting from the disease. Vulnerable populations such as women, children, the elderly and the impoverished are particularly affected.

Malaria is:

- A burden to health and a major cost for the economy.

- A major contributor to the cycle of poverty worldwide.

04.

02.

The Chain of Infection

Treatment of Malaria

The Chain of Infection is the path of transmission of the malaria parasite through a population. It involves an insect vector, the Anopheles mosquito which spreads the parasite from person to person, resulting in an infected person sub-sequentially infecting other people.

The malaria parasite is transmitted from an infected host through a blood meal taken. These malaria parasites then grow and mature within the mosquito until they are strong enough to once again be transmitted through blood and infect another human, repeating the cycle.

Quinine, chloroquine, primaquine, artemisinin, as well as other drugs aid in the treatment of malaria for infected individuals.

Some countries have vaccines available as a preventative strategy for malaria.

03.

How to break the chain of infection ?

01.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a parasite that thrives within tropical environments and is found inside a particular type of female mosquito known as the Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is a major cause of illness and death in many parts of the world.

Malaria can infect all humans regardless of race, sex or immunity. Malaria can also infect animals. However, there are only four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect humans. Once in the mosquito's gut, the parasites multiply and migrate to the salivary glands, ready to infect a new person when the mosquito next bites.

Breaking the chain of infection is crucial in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Identify the infectious agent

Isolate the infectious agent

Identify the reservoir

Break the mode of transmission

Prevent entry into the susceptible host

Practice proper hand hygiene

Use personal protective equipment (PPE)

Practice respiratory hygiene

Immunisations

Education and awareness

Proper healthcare practice

Agent:

Malaria poses a significant risk to global health and efficient interventions to reduce its transmission require both tax spending and investments in new technology. Many countries have experienced success by taking preventative measures such as distributing mosquito nets, educating communities, and administering antimalarial medications.

Mode of transmission:

Portal of exit:

Portal of entry:

Susceptible host:

Reservoir:

Malaria can infect all humans regardless of race, sex or immunity. Malaria can also infect animals. However, there are only four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect humans. Once in the mosquito's gut, the parasites multiply and migrate to the salivary glands, ready to infect a new person when the mosquito next bites.

Infectious agents are types of organisms that have the ability to produce infections and/or infectious diseases. The types of infectious agents include the following:

Viruses

Bacteria

Fungi

Protozoa

Helminths

In relation to malaria, this serious and potentially fatal disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium which infects certain types of mosquitos which transfer the disease into humans. The severe impact of malaria and its deadly protozoan parasite is due to its ability to use protein hooks to cling within the human blood vessels to leave the body unable to remove the agent.

The portal of entry refers to the mode in which a pathogen enters a susceptible host.

The only portal of entry for malaria is if an infected mosquito bites you or by the use of infected syringes/transfusion of blood from an infected person.

The method of transmission is a way the pathogen is spread to another host.

Malaria can be transmitted indirectly to human hosts via a vector (female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles). Additionally, Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions or the use of contaminated needles or syringes. (O. Y. Djihinto, 2022)

The susceptible host is the final link in the chain of infection that regards the host being placed at risk of infection due to their immune system compromising the individual as its functionality declines. Some factors which increase one's likelihood to become infected due to susceptibility include the following:

Pregnant Humans

Young Children

Elderly People

Individuals with specific chronic illnesses / Genetics

Immune competency

Poor Nutritional status

Medical surgery / Treatments

Directly in relation to Malaria, individuals who may be exposed extensively to bites from mosquitoes which are infected with P.falciparum are most likely to risk dying from malaria. Especially individuals with little to none immunity which can be seen as young children, pregnant women and travellers from regions without the presence of malaria cases.

The portal of exit is the path by which a pathogen leaves its host.

The portal of exit for malaria is anywhere on the skin where a mosquito can potentially bite you.

Malaria is spread when a mosquito becomes infected with the disease after biting an infected person on the skin. If the infected mosquito then bites a non-infected person, the malaria parasites enter the bloodstream, travel to the liver, mature, and eventually infect red blood cells where the cycle continues. (E. Meibalan, 2017)

Stop the chain of infection - Malaria

Malaria is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, so the main focus is on preventing mosquito bites and controlling mosquito populations. Here are some strategies to break the chain of infection for malaria:

• Use insecticide-treated bed nets
• Indoor residual spraying
• Environmental management
• Personal protective measures
• Early diagnosis and treatment
• Antimalarial medication
• Community education and awareness