Disease file MALARIA Causes of disease

There are many variants of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium (protozoa).

Transmission of the microorganism

The vector which carries the Plasmadium is a female Anopheles mosquito. The mosquito feeds on a mammal which may be suffering from malaria. It does this at night by inserting its syringe-like stylet into a blood vessel beneath the skin. The mosquito feeds on blood and digests the red blood cells, which releases the malarial parasites. These burrow into the insects stomach wall where they breed; some then move to the salivary glands. Next time the mosquito feeds, it secretes saliva to prevent clotting of the blood. This secretion introduces the parasites into the persons blood, who is likely to contract the disease.

Outline of the course of the disease and symptoms

After entry into the blood, sporozoites invade the liver releasing many merozoites. Each merozoite infects a red blood cell producing even more merozoites. Millions of these parasites are released into the blood causing a fever. As a result, the sufferer develops a range of symptoms including pains, exhaustion, aching, feeling cold, sweating, and fever. The increased body temperature attracts mosquitoes even more, so a person with malaria acts as a reservoir for parasites.

Prevention

The most effective methods of prevention are those which destroy the vector. Spraying insecticides onto lake surfaces kills mosquito larvae. Oil poured on lake surfaces prevents air entering the breathing tubes of the mosquitoes, so the die. Fish can be introduced into lakes as predators to eat the larvae. This is an example of biological control. Sometimes ponds are drained to remove the mosquitoes breeding area. People in areas where malaria is endemic cover up all waste tin cans and plastic containers. If they were to fill up with rainwater then the mosquitoes have another habitat to breed in.

The bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis is used to destroy mosquitoes. Mosquito nets exclude mosquitoes from buildings and are even used over beds. Electronic insect killer techniques can be used which attract the mosquito via ultra-violet light then kill them by application of voltage. Drugs are used so that even if a mosquito bites a person, any Plasmodium entering the blood fails to develop further.

Cure

It is necessary to isolate and treat the sufferer. This also reduces the spread of the disease. Drugs are used to kill the parasites in the blood and reduce the symptoms. People are constantly attempting to find different ways of preventing this killer disease.