Life sciences Grade 11 CAPS structured, clear, practical - Helping teachers unlock the power of NCS KNOWLEDGE AREA: Diversity, change and continuity TOPIC 1: Biodiversity and Classification of Micro-organisms Female Anopheles Mosquito Malaria

Summary of Presentation Causes of Malaria Transmission Symptoms Malaria areas Preventing Malaria Treatment

Causes Malaria is caused by a Protist. This Protist is a protozoan called the Plasmodium. There are 4 species of Plasmodium that cause Malaria. They are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax. These species are microscopic. All four species exist in different forms or stages.

Causes The main stage is most often sporozoite. The sporozoite is the main stage because it occurs in both the human and mosquito. Sporozoite of Plasmodium

Transmission: Malaria is transmitted from person to person by the female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is carried by 4 different species of the female Anopheles mosquito. This mosquito has a unique posture when it is resting or feeding. It has its head down, body at an angle and hind legs raised as shown in the picture alongside.

Transmission: The Anopheles mosquito feeds on human blood for its food. The mosquito releases some of its saliva when it bites a human. The saliva prevents the blood from clotting. If the mosquito bites a human with malaria, then it sucks up the Plasmodium (malarial parasite) with the blood. When the same mosquito bites another human, it releases saliva together with the Plasmodium into the this person.

Transmission: The saliva contains the Plasmodium. In this way the malaria is spread from person to person

SYMPTOMS: The symptoms are as follows: Headache Fever Sweating Chills Muscular pains of the back and limbs Abnormal pain Diarrhoea Nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Cough

SYMPTOMS: These symptoms are those of other common illness. Therefore it is often a long while before a person realizes that they have malaria. The symptoms only show up 10 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. This makes a correct diagnosis difficult. If you have been to a high risk area and show these symptoms then malaria must be considered. Treatment should begin immediately. Without treatment complications may arise and death may result.

Malaria Areas Malaria usually occurs in areas with tropical climates. It occurs in Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It also occurs in South Africa, the low-lying area such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North Eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal. The risk of contracting malaria increases during the wet summer months. (from October to March and extending into May) This is because these are months during which the mosquitoes breed most rapidly because they need water for their larvae to develop.

Management of malaria PREVENTATION OF MALARIA: Malaria can be prevented in 3 ways. These 3 ways are as follows: Getting rid of the mosquito Preventing the mosquito from biting us Taking medicine before entering a high risk malaria area

Management of malaria GETTING RID OFF THE MOSQUITO: The swamps must be drained, all the cans and buckets etc must be emptied of all water, because the mosquito breeds in the water. The ponds may be sprayed with insecticide. This will kill the mosquito larvae that are found on the surface of the water. IRS(internal residual spraying) can also be used. This is when the inside of the house is sprayed with an aerosol insecticide after sunset and the windows have been closed. The bedrooms must also be sprayed.

Management of malaria PREVENTING MOSQUITOES FROM BITING US: This done by: Remaining indoors at night. Wear long-sleeved clothing. Windows and doors should be closed at night. Open windows and doors should have screens. Sleep under a mosquito net. Use mosquito coils and insecticides to keep mosquitoes away. Insect repellent maybe applied to exposed skin and clothing.

Management of malaria TAKING MEDCIATION BEFORE ENTERING HIGH RISK AREAS: If you visit a high risk area you must take medication before entering the area. A doctor or pharmacist will provide you with advice about the medication. There are many medicines available. The medication taken is dependent on the following factors: Your age and weight The general state of your health. Any other medication that you maybe taking for other illness.

Management of malaria Any other medication that you maybe taking for other illness. The length of stay in the area. The kind of activities your are normally involved in. Pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers must also let the doctors about their condition. If you are involved in sporting activities such as scuba diving, flying and sky diving the doctor must be informed.

Management of malaria These medicines can lead to side effects in some people. There are a large number of medication available, but none of them are 100% effective. The most successful way of preventing malaria infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Treatment: TESTING FOR MALARIA: Malaria can be diagnosed using a test called the Rapid Test. However the Rapid Test is not always accurate! Another test is a blood test, where laboratory technicians look for the malarial parasite. But the results of the blood test can take 1 or 2 days.

Treatment: The rate of recovery is higher, the earlier a person is treated. If a person has visited a high risk area and had severe flu-like symptoms he or she should visit the doctor immediately. Treatment should start immediately. Even if the patient had taken medication before entering the high risk area they should still be treated because the medication is not 100% effective.

Treatment: It must also be remembered that the symptoms only show up 10 to 14 days after infection. If an infected person is not treated, death may occur!

terminology Sporozoite: the main stage of the malaria parasite. Plasmodium: the parasite that causes malaria. Anopheles mosquito: the female mosquito carries the malaria parasite. Vector: an insect that carries a disease without becoming infected. IRS(internal residual spraying): This is when the inside of the house is sprayed with an aerosol insecticide after sunset and the windows have been closed. Rapid test: test to test for malaria

Group of insects that carry the Plasmodium is… A. Mosquitoes B Group of insects that carry the Plasmodium is… A. Mosquitoes B. Protozoan C. Anopheles mosquito D. Female Anopheles mosquito Question 1

Some symptoms of malaria are… A. Loss of appetite, chills and fever B Some symptoms of malaria are… A. Loss of appetite, chills and fever B. Itchy bump that looks like an insect bite C. Chest pains and bad cough that lasts for more than 2 weeks D. Headaches, fever and sore throat Question 2

Malaria is caused by the… A. Mosquito B. Plasmodium C. Mycobacterium D Malaria is caused by the… A. Mosquito B. Plasmodium C. Mycobacterium D. Anthrax Question 3

Test for malaria is… A. DOTS B. Rapid test C. DOT D Test for malaria is… A. DOTS B. Rapid test C. DOT D. Tissue-culture test Question 4

Question 5 The highest risk of contracting malaria is the… A. Wet summer months B. Dry summer months C. Winter months D. Spring Question 5

The method of getting rid of the mosquito by spraying the inside of the house is called… A. IRS B. DOTS C. Rapid test D. Spraying Question 6

Malaria is not easily diagnosed because… A Malaria is not easily diagnosed because… A. The symptoms of malaria are also the symptoms of other diseases. B. Malaria has no symptoms C. There is no test for malaria D. There are no Malaria antibodies Question 7

Question 8 The methods that form the basis for the treatment for malaria are… A. Getting rid of the virus and taking the medication. B. Getting rid of the bacteria and preventing the mosquito from biting us C. Getting rid of the bacteria and taking medication D. Getting rid of the plasmodium and taking the medication.

The malaria medication… A. Is not 100% effective B The malaria medication… A. Is not 100% effective B. Some people suffer side effects when taking the medication C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B Question 9

The symptoms only show up after A. 10-14 days after infection B The symptoms only show up after A. 10-14 days after infection B. 6 weeks after infection C. 5 days after infection D. 3 months after infection Question 10

Solution D A B C