Why does this matter?

Today as you read this post, you're most likely one of the lucky people who are fortunate enough to live in a country that is malaria free.  But sadly, many fellow human beings go without such luxuries.  Many people fight a daily battle against something that threatens to take their lives and the lives of those they love.  For all of the perceived differences that people and societies try to claim that groups of humans have between each other, at the end of the day we are all of the same family.  No matter what ideological, cultural, and religious view point we may hold, there is one realization that transcends all ideologies: the compassion to care for our fellow man in times of sickness and sadness.  I believe everyone has this compassion in their heart.  If it weren't for this deep seeded drive and caring within our human species, I would argue that we would have not evolved into the creatures we are today.  The thought that the main victim of malaria are children personally brings me such sadness.  It hurts to know that main victim of this scourge re the most innocent of our species.  in moments like these, I think of all of the potentially brilliant souls whose lives were extinguished so early.  I can't help but think of what they might have become, one of them could have been the next great Einstein, one of them could have become a great father, or mother.  All of this leaves me with a conviction that drives me to do something to stop this. If even just one person becomes inspired by this to help solve the problem, I will be happy knowing that.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a disease that is caused by the parasite protozoa known as plasmodium.   It is estimated that there are nearly 100 different species of malaria(1).

An image of plasmodium: the parasite responsible for malaria. 

When someone becomes infected with malaria, the mobile form of the plasmodium known as a sporozoite travels through the blood stream of the infected host.  These sporozoites travel to the liver, where they mature into what are known as merozoites.  These merozoites make their way to the red blood cells, which they infect.  Inside the red blood cells, the merozoites multiply by asexually replicating.  After about 48-72 hours the red blood cells burst open with many new merozoites(2).     

This illustration depicts the multiple forms plasmodium can take during its life.  

Symptoms for malaria can show up any time from 10 days to 4 weeks after the infection occurred.  Some symptoms include headaches, chills/shivering, cold sweats, vomiting, jaundice, anemia, paroxysm, and coma.  More symptoms are known to occur, and the frequency of some symptoms can be higher than others. A particularly dangerous strain of plasmodium is  P. falciparum. 
P. falciparum causes some of the most fatal symptoms such as hypoglycemia, cerebral malaria, renal failure(kidney failure), and hepatomegaly. 

Pregnant women can face many complications if they're infected with malaria.  Many women who infected with malaria and also happen to be pregnant face many complications during birth.  Many babies that do survive will have a very low birth weight, which can put their lives and growth at risk.  Many of these pregnancies end up with still births.

(1.) https://www.malarianomore.org/pages/what-is-malaria

(2.) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000621.htm

(3.)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3375727/

What is a Vector?

Vectors are creatures that act to spread pathogens to other species.  Vectors act essentially as the middlemen in the infection process.  In the case of malaria, the mosquito is the main vector for transporting the protozoa plasmodium which cause malaria.  When a mosquito bites a person infected with plasmodium, the plasmodium takes refuge within the gut of the mosquito.  Life cycles important to the existence and proliferation of plasmodium must occur within the mosquito.  The plasmodium form gametes within the mosquito; these go on to mature into an ookinete. The ookinete stage allows the plasmodium to withstand the environment of the gut of the mosquito.  From this point the plasmodium ookinete release the mobile form of plasmodium, known as the sporozoites.  When a mosquito bites a human being, it is the sporozoite which infects a new host human being.

Out of the 3,500 known species of mosquitos, 40 have been known to harbor malaria(1).  Only female mosquitos can harbor plasmodium.  This is due to the fact that only female mosquitos bite human beings.  The male mosquitos do not bite human beings.  

(1.) http://www.map.ox.ac.uk/explore/mosquito-malaria-vectors/

Malaria Statistics and Fatalaties

It has been estimated that in the year 2010 nearly 210 million people were infected with malaria.(1.)   To put that number in perspective, that's equivalent to nearly two thirds the population of the United States.(2.)  It has also been estimated that malaria kills around 600,000 people annually.  Of the 600,000 fatalities that occur each year, it is estimated that nearly 95% of the victims are innocent children under the age of 5(2.).  Nearly 90% of the reported cases are found on the African continent.(3.)

This Inforgraphic shows the distribution of Malaria across the globe. Source: World Health Organization

Economic Impact of Malaria: 
Due to the devastation caused by malaria, many tropical nations face setbacks in their economic growth.  Malaria has acted to keep many in the work force either too sick to go to work, and or too afraid to go to work(in fear of catching the disease).  In an economic study performed from 1965-1990, it was shown that countries highly effected by malaria had a GDP per capita that grew at a rate 1.3% slower than countries that weren't highly effected(4.).  The study also showed that for every 10% reduction in reported malaria cases, led to 0.3% more economic growth.  An estimated 12 billion dollars a year of potential economic productivity is lost on the African continent(3.).

To read the full summary, visit this link:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2624/

A map showing the spread of malaria.

A map showing the GDP per capita of the nations of the world.  Notice the low GDP for countries suffering from malaria.

For more information on the adverse effects of malaria on economic growth, you can check out the link below 

http://ftp.iza.org/dp2997.pdf


Climate Change and Malaria:
With the changing climate of our present world, many infectious diseases will be expanding their range into new territory.  Malaria is a disease that will benefit from a warmer world.  Mosquitos require an environment with a warm ambient temperature for proper growth and proliferation(5.).  As more areas become livable for mosquitos for more parts of the year, the risk of malaria infection will inevitably go up as well.

An Infographic showing how increasing temperatures will push the range of malaria to higher latitudes and altitudes.  

(1.) http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Health/Malaria

(2.) http://www.census.gov/popclock/

(3.)  https://www.malarianomore.org/pages/the-challenge

(4.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2624/

(5.) http://time.com/14553/climate-change-expand-malaria/

What you can do to help the fight.

The first step towards helping to stop Malaria is simply to spread the word about Malaria.  By spreading the word, you can bring back the much needed publicity on this important issue.

I will be posting more information on more organizations.

The Gates Foundation: 

Famous computer designer, businessman, turned philanthropist Bill Gates has been busy trying to rid the world of malaria.  The Gates Foundation has put it upon itself to help develop the next major anti malaria vaccine.  Recently the Gates Foundation gave 168 million dollars to PATH to help it develop it's malaria vaccine initiative.  You ca read the article here. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2008/09/Bill-Gates-Announces-168-Million-to-Develop-NextGeneration-Malaria-Vaccine

You can get more information here at www.gatesfoundation.org

fightingmalaria.org

fightingmalaria.org is an organization that seeks to deal with the media coverage of malaria, and holding public institutions accountable on malaria eradication programs.  The organization has also played a big role in leading to more transparent organizations and governments that deal with malaria.  The Organization is also important in publishing many important research articles on the subject of malaria.

Their website can be found here: http://www.fightingmalaria.org/

Nets For Life:

Nets for life is an organization that seeks to handle the malaria issue in people's homes.  As mosquitos increase their activity during the night, these are the times at which a person is most susceptible to getting a potentially lethal bite.  Nets for life seeks to do exactly its namesake: distribute as many life saving mosquito nets as humanly possible.  They've already distributed over 18 million nets so far.  Until a viable vaccine is developed, it's hands on steps like these that we'll help save lives.

To learn more you can visit their website here:  http://www.netsforlifeafrica.org/