World Malaria Day - 25th April: Tips for Locals and Visitors for Malaria Prevention

Today, 25th April is observed as the World Malaria Day (WMD), which is an international observance that recognised global efforts to control malaria. World Malaria Day is one of the 8 official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Today on the World Malaria Day 2017, we at www.cityofjaipur.com would like to spread awareness about the disease and share some tips for both locals and the visitors in Jaipur for Malaria prevention. But before this, we would like to tell you that nearly 10.6 lakh cases of malaria were reported in India in 2016. The numbers have halved since 2000, but have remained static over the last 5 years. We are still far away from defeating the malaria parasite completely.

World Malaria Day 2017 Theme

This year WHO has kept 'Ending Malaria for Good' as the World Malaria Day 2017 theme. For this WHO is trying to spread awareness about the prevention methods for malaria such as using nets and spraying insecticides.

What causes Malaria?

Malaria is caused by the Anopheles mosquito, which bites between dusk and dawn. This mosquito spreads the infection caused by single-celled malaria parasite known as the Plasmodium parasites, with P. Falciparum and P. Vivax between them causing most infections in India.

Plasmodium Falciparum, which accounts for 99% deaths worldwide, has become the dominant malaria-causing parasite in India.

Symptoms of Malaria

Malaria is marked by high fever with chills. The infected person suffers from high fever followed by profuse sweating, occurring at intervals of 48 to 72 hours. Many a times people confuse the symptoms of malaria to be just influenza. Some of the malaria symptoms that show that you must visit the doctor include:

• Fever (100° to 102° F) and chills
• Headache
• Nausea
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue

Ways to Prevent Malaria

Are you in Jaipur? or are you planning to visit Jaipur India? Then, please go through this info graphic that explains different simple ways to prevent malaria.

As the info graphic shows, you can protect yourself from being infected by the malaria parasite by following the below mentioned malaria prevention measures:

• Wear loose clothes with long sleeves that cover up you up well.
• Use bed nets and screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home and you bed.
• You can also utilise mosquito repellents and insecticides to keep mosquitoes away.
• Keep your surroundings clean and destroy any materials that can facilitate breeding of the malaria-causing Anopheles mosquito such as old tires, desert-coolers, water pots, etc.