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Ethiopian Malaria

Malaria occurs due to infection with Plasmodium parasites. They are mainly four types of the parasite that affect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale (Mouchet, Pierre, and Sylvie 59). P. vivax and P. falciparum species are the main causative agents of malaria in Ethiopia. The parasites are transmitted through the Anopheles mosquito, which is the malaria vector, and the disease is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The disease manifests itself in the individual seven to fourteen days after infection. Common symptoms include chills, fever, malaise, headache, and vomiting. Plasmodium falciparum causes severe malaria, which is fatal if not treated within 24 hours of infection. The symptoms of the severe malaria in children include cerebral malaria, respiratory complications due to metabolic acidosis or chronic anemia while adults often develop multi-organ complications. Individuals residing in endemic areas often develop partial immunity to malaria. Susceptible groups with weakened immunity include children, the elderly, pregnant mothers, HIV/AIDS patients, and travelers from non-endemic areas (World Health Organization Web).

Malaria is a global concern because it is the most infectious disease particularly in Sub Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, it occurs in about 75% of the country and affects about 40 million or 68% of the country’s population. Transmission of the malady is common during the rainy season in the months between March and May, and September to December (Lautze 55). High-risk areas include areas that are 2000 meters above sea level, which have a favorable microclimate for the development of malaria parasites. According to a WHO epidemiological profile recorded in 2011, high transmission areas where the rate of infection is more than one case per 1000 individuals recorded 847000 individuals affected by the disease. Low risk areas where the rate of infection is 0-1 cases per 1000 individuals recorded 55 900 000 cases while safety zones with zero cases recorded 28 000 000 individuals. The total number of infected individuals in the same year totaled to 56 747 000 cases out of a population of 84 747 000 World Health Organization Web).

Timely malaria diagnosis is essential in controlling and preventing the disease since misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis could lead to death. The main diagnostic methods include microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. The diagnostic tests are significant in improving the control of the disease and minimizing the spread and the emergence of drug resistance by reserving antimalarials especially in infected patients. Microscopy involves the inspection of blood under the microscope for malaria parasites. A high number of hospitals and large health clinics often use microscopy for malaria diagnosis, but the method if often considered inadequate. Diagnosis results in both methods are ready within 15 minutes after collection of a finger prick of blood. Treatment of Plasmodium falciparum, which is the major causative agent of malaria in Ethiopia, involves the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) (World Health Organization Web).

Both local and international bodies have been actively involved in the prevention and treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has devised a five-year National Malaria Prevention and Control Strategic Plan. The plan aims at reducing the morbidity and malaria-related mortality in the country by 75% by the end of the year 2013. Other local bodies including the Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs) and the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) have also collaborated with the government with the aim of enhancing socioeconomic conditions and health in Ethiopia. International bodies such as the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) have also formulated policies and programs aimed at preventing and controlling malaria in the country (World Health Organization Web). The aforementioned organizations have played significant roles to boost the access to equitable, timely, and requisite services for the population in malaria prone areas and the country as whole.

Works Cited

Lautze, Jonathan. Incorporating Malaria Control into Reservoir Management: A Case Study from Ethiopia. Ann Arbor: ProQuest, 2007. Print.

Mouchet, Jean, Pierre Carnevale, and Sylvie Manguin. Biodiversity of Malaria in the World. Montrouge Country: John Libbey Eurotext, 2008. Print.

World Health Organization. Malaria. 2013. Web. 6 December 2013.

World Health Organization. World Malaria Report .2012. Web. 6 December 2013.