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Malaria
What is malaria?
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four different
blood parasites, called Plasmodium. The disease is transmitted to people
by the Anopheles mosquito. This disease is a leading cause of debilitating
illness, with over 200 million cases each year from around the world.
Almost all of the cases reported in New York State each year are acquired
in foreign countries. However, a few locally acquired cases have occurred
on Long Island and in Queens.
Who gets malaria?
Any person residing in or traveling to a country where malaria is prevalent
is at risk for contracting the disease. Malaria is currently a problem
in tropical or subtropical areas of Asia, Africa and Central and South
America. Most black Africans show a natural resistance to some species
of malaria. Otherwise, susceptibility to malaria is universal.
How is malaria spread?
Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. With
certain malaria species, dormant forms can be produced which may cause
relapses of malaria months to years later. Malaria may also be transmitted
by transfusion of blood from infected people or by the use of contaminated
needles or syringes.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
Symptoms include fever, chills, sweats and headache, and in some instances
may progress to jaundice, blood coagulation defects, shock, kidney or
liver failure, central nervous system disorders and coma. Cycles of chills,
fever and sweating occurring every one, two or three days is a good indicator
of malaria in a person recently returning from a tropical area.
How soon do symptoms occur?
The time between the infective mosquito bite and the development of
malaria symptoms can range from 12 to 30 days depending on the type of
Plasmodia involved. One strain of Plasmodium, called P. vivax, may have
a prolonged incubation period of eight to 10 months. When infection occurs
by blood transfusion, the incubation period depends on the number of parasites
transferred but is usually less than two months.
When and for how long is a person able to spread malaria?
Untreated or inadequately treated cases may be a source of mosquito
infection for one to three years depending on the strain of Plasmodium.
Direct person-to-person transmission does not occur. Stored blood products
can remain infective for 16 days.
What is the treatment for malaria?
Due to the changing pattern of drug-resistant strains, current recommendations
can be obtained from your local, county or state health department.
What can be done to prevent the spread of malaria?
Since malaria is not native to the United States, exposure to American
citizens occurs most frequently during foreign travel to malarious areas.
It is very important to contact health officials to determine the proper
preventive drug therapy. The liberal and frequent use of mosquito repellents
as well as using a bed net can be very effective in preventing mosquito
bites.
Source: NY State Department of Health
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