Malaria in Africa

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Computer Science

Document 1

If not treated, it may cause complications and lead to death. It may recur later if left untreated. The disease gets transmitted by a female Anopheles mosquito which bites and inserts the Plasmodium falciparum parasite through its saliva into the blood of an individual. The parasite moves to the liver where it matures up and reproduces. It then emerges from the liver in the form of merozoites and travels via the heart to the and into the bloodstream where they multiply and invade the cells. Malaria the most hits Arid, highlands and desert-fringe areas in areas. Other pieces of literature have investigated on the control of Plasmodium falciparum and its effect. Bhatt, et al. , (2015), investigates the effect of controlling malaria on Plasmodium falciparum in Africa over a 15 year period.

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The authors observe that over the recent decade, campaigns against malaria has resulted in unparalleled intervention across sub-Saharan Africa. It is important to focus on the vector, host, parasite and the environment and how these factors interact to cause malaria in South Africa. Elimination of malaria in South Africa and subsequently in other African countries requires a consideration of the physical, social, economic and political environment. The physical environment entails humidity and temperature. The economic environment consists of quality of stock. The social and political environment entails migration patterns and regional collaboration respectively (Maharaj et al. (Maharaj, et al. , 2013) Malaria in Africa varies according to age and sex, with males the most affected at different ages. The table below contains data showing the prevalence of malaria in Abuja, Nigeria.

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The data was collected in a hospital among children aged 2-15 years. According to the table, 36 females and 56 males all aged between 2-5 tested out of which 25 and 33 tested positive or rather were found to have been infected respectively. For instance, looking at the table below, Plasmodium falciparum leads to the highest infection rate followed by Plasmodium malariae. Children aged between 2-5 bears the highest prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection and also the highest number of overall infection (Bassey & Nwakaku, 2017). This same scenario is experienced in other parts of Africa, and this is the reason why relevant authorities and other concerned parties advocate for their protection because they are a vulnerable group. Types of Plasmodium species Infecting Children 2-15 years (Bassey & Nwakaku, 2017)   Conclusions Malaria is caused by a female Anopheles mosquito that spreads a parasite known as Plasmodium.

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