Hyderabad, 24th April 2025: Malaria is a preventable and curable illness, which if untreated can prove life-threatening. India has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence of malaria over the years, but the overall burden of disease in India is still high. According to the world malaria report 2024, India reported more than 2 lakh cases of malaria in the year 2023. World Malaria Day, established by the World Health Organisation is observed to raise awareness about this disease and recognise global efforts to eliminate this illness.
Malaria spreads to humans through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito that carries a parasite called Plasmodium. After the bite, the parasite goes to the liver and then enters the red blood cells. This causes the symptoms of malaria, which appear a few days after the mosquito bite. Fever with chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and rapid heart rate are some common features of this disease.
“It’s crucial to identify the symptoms of malaria timely and seek early medical attention. If untreated malaria can progress to cause serious complications like seizures and coma which can result due to a condition called cerebral malaria,” warns Dr Srinivas Murki, Senior Consultant Neonatologist, Ankura Hospital, LB Nagar. He further adds that children below five years of age, senior citizens, and pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing the more serious form of the disease.
Some other serious complications of malaria include difficulty in breathing, severe anemia, and very low blood sugar. If unattended these can progress and even lead to loss of life in extreme cases. “Timely treatment of Malaria results in complete resolution of the disease. Specific medications against malaria help fight the infection. However, it is prudent that necessary steps are taken against mosquito breeding and bite to prevent this illness in the families,” advises Murki.
Since malaria and dengue fever spreads through mosquito bites, proper measures should be taken to prevent mosquito exposure and reduce the risk of infections. Usage of mosquito nets and mesh doors, and avoiding keeping doors and windows open after sunset can help prevent mosquitoes from entering the homes. Each family should also help in preventing the breeding of mosquitoes by ensuring to remove any stagnant water in and around their homes. Stagnant water in air coolers, flower pots, or empty containers should not be left as these can be crucial breeding sites for mosquitoes. Any stagnant water around the house due to ditches, open tanks, etc should also be reported to the authorities so that necessary steps can be taken for its correction.
Pregnant women should take extra precautions against malaria, as this disease can get transferred from the mother to the developing fetus via blood. Since malaria can also be transmitted through contaminated blood, it is crucial that blood transfusions are conducted at safe and reliable centers where all donated blood is thoroughly screened for major blood-borne diseases, including malaria, to reduce the risk of infection.
“A vaccine to prevent severe forms of malaria is under development and, if approved, could greatly benefit high-risk groups, especially children under five. Until then, early diagnosis, timely treatment, and effective vector control remain the most crucial strategies for preventing this disease,” concludes Dr Srinivas Murki.