DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH Why are we not in danger of becoming infected with Malaria in Britain? Were we ever?
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH By the end of the lesson you will be able to: 1. Describe cause and method of transmission of Malaria 2. Describe distribution of Malaria 3. Explain factors that influence distribution of Malaria Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH MALARIA making a come-back After dropping steeply between 1930 and 1970, malaria is now making a real comeback, especially in Africa, south of the Sahara, where 90% of all deaths occur.
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH The link between the disease and the Anopheles Mosquito was first made by Ronald Ross, a Scottish army doctor, working in India. The name comes from the Italian mal (bad) and aria (air) – it was originally thought the disease was spread by the damp air from swamps.
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH Malaria is a disease which is endemic – this means that it is always present Global Distribution of malaria: millions persons infected
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH The effects of climate change on worldwide malaria distribution
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH When the Anopheles Mosquito “bites”, it actually sinks a long, thin mouth part, the proboscis, into the skin. The mosquito then pumps saliva under the skin, to stop the blood clotting – so that it can drink uninterrupted! In the saliva is the main culprit, the Plasmodium, a single-cell blood parasite.
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH Most at risk are the very young, who have not yet developed any degree of natural immunity… …along with pregnant women, whose immune system is weakened.
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH A young victim of Falciparum Malaria
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH Without rapid medical help, many of these children will die: currently one every 30 seconds or less.
DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH Adult victims will have repeated attacks for many years, unless treated. When ill, they cannot work.