What is a reason malaria is such a problem in sub-Saharan Africa?

Africa is the most affected due to a combination of factors: A very efficient mosquito (Anopheles gambiae complex) is responsible for high transmission. The predominant parasite species is Plasmodium falciparum , which is the species that is most likely to cause severe malaria and death.

How does malaria affect sub-Saharan Africa?

According to the World malaria report 2019, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for approximately 93% of all malaria cases and 94% of deaths in 2018. More than two-thirds of deaths were among children under the age of five.

Has malaria decreased in Africa?

Malaria is declining in Africa overall but there is considerable uncertainty around reported estimates. In some areas, the burden of malaria has remained unchanged or increased. More time is spent estimating rather than measuring the malaria burden.

What has been the progress to reduce malaria in Africa?

Since 2000, progress in malaria control has resulted primarily from expanded access to vector control interventions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, these gains are threatened by emerging resistance to insecticides among Anopheles mosquitoes.

How is Africa affected by malaria?

Experts say malaria slows economic growth in Africa by up to 1.3 percent per year. Rural and poor people are especially at risk because they are least likely to have the means to prevent and treat malaria.

How does Africa deal with malaria?

More people in Africa are benefiting from insecticide-treated nets. Today, more than half of people at risk from malaria sleep under these nets, whereas in 2010 only 29% of those at risk did so. Fumigating homes on an annual or semi-annual basis can also rapidly reduce malaria transmission.

What is the impact of malaria in Africa?

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports malaria is responsible for one in five deaths of African children under age 5 every year. Malaria takes its toll not only in lives lost, but also in medical costs, lost income, and reduced economic output.

What impact does malaria have on environmental health globally?

Mostly relating to the organisms in the environment and biodiversity, malaria causes great disruption in the ecosystem. One main way of preventing the spread of malaria includes indoor spraying of insecticides. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is an example of this insecticide used for disease vector control.

What are the economic impacts of malaria?

What is the Economic Impact of Malaria? The economic impact of malaria is estimated to cost Africa $12 billion every year. This figure factors in costs of health care, absenteeism, days lost in education, decreased productivity due to brain damage from cerebral malaria, and loss of investment and tourism.

Is malaria increasing or decreasing?

Malaria death estimates from IHME Over this period we see a clear rise-peak-fall trend, increasing from around 670,000 deaths in 1990; peaking at around 930,000 in 2004; and then declining (although at varying rates) to around 620,000 in 2017.

How can we prevent malaria in sub-Saharan Africa?

Use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying has resulted a decline in the incidence and prevalence of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Other strategies such as larval source management have been shown to reduce mosquito density but require further evaluation.

What are some of the primary interventions used to control malaria in sub-Saharan Africa?

In most malaria-endemic countries, four interventions—case management (diagnosis and treatment), ITNs, IPTp, and IRS—make up the essential package of malaria interventions. Occasionally, other interventions are used: Larval control and other vector control interventions. Mass drug administration and Mass fever …