Malaria - a rising global threat

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Despite its small size, the mosquito is the most dangerous animal to have caused maximum human deaths. According to the most recent estimates from World Health Organization, about 50% of the world’s population is at risk of Malaria. In the year 2015, 215 million cases of malaria registered of which resulted in 4,38,000 deaths.

What is Malaria?
Malaria is an infection caused in Red Blood cells (RBCs) by a parasite called Plasmodium.  Plasmodium falciparum is the most potent parasite reported to have cause Malaria. Other less known species that cause Malaria are Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi.

Once the parasites enter your body, they mature in the liver. These mature parasites later infect the RBCs. 
Commonly known symptoms of Malaria are malaise,  vomiting, and fever with chills.  Unavailability of treatment can worsen the symptoms and cause anaemia, hypoglycemia and Cerebral Malaria (obstructs supply of blood to the brain).  Severe complication like cerebral Malaria can cause coma, can hamper the learning abilities for a lifetime and even cause death. 

Who are at an increased risk?
Of the total deaths reported in the last year, 90% solely occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa region.  People travelling to Africa are at a higher risk for the disease.  Also,  pregnant women and children with compromised immunity are at an increased risk.
Antimalarial prophylaxis 

Diagnosis and treatment
Primary symptoms cannot alone confirm the presence of the parasite since they are nonspecific in nature.
Early diagnosis is crucial for a patient's quick recovery from the disease. The confirmation of the parasite can only be done by microscopy analysis of blood sample or rapid diagnostic test.
The most commonly prescribed antimalarials include Chloroquine,  Quinine Sulfate,  Hydroxychloroquine,  mefloquine and a combination of Atovaquone and Proguanil. 

Antimalarial prophylaxis -  the new prevention
Malarial Prophylaxis is the preventive treatment for Malaria. While there are several oral medications prescribed for it, pharmaceutical companies are working hard on developing vaccines for it. Travelling to Malaria endemic countries increases the risk of contracting the infection; therefore malarial prophylaxis becomes mandatory. 
The region visited, the length of stay, time of visit, primary protection against mosquitoes are all important factors that influence the choice of medication for prophylaxis.
Malarial prophylaxis causes a lot of side-effects like diarrhoea, blurred vision, nausea, and heartburn. Some of the medication also cause adverse neurological effects such as insomnia, mental clouding, vivid dreams, dizziness, anxiety and coordination problems. Antimalarial Prophylaxis is a range of preventive medication for Malaria introduced by ANP Pharma.


The world is walking towards a significant progress against malaria. The global mortality rate for malaria dropped by 60 percent since 2000 but its a long way to go. Through continued strong global leadership and smart investments in life-saving tools and innovations, we can put a stop to malaria.
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