Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.
Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes.
5 years ago, malaria killed nearly one million people globally each year, most of whom were children. The battle against this disease is an ongoing global one, in which Iraq has effectively participated and stands proud with its achievements today.
The last 2 indigenous malaria cases were reported in Iraq in 2008. In 2014, 2 imported cases of malaria were diagnosed in Iraq among non-national individuals. In 2015, another 2 imported cases were reported; one was national and one non-national. There is risk of re-introduction of malaria from visitors, including those coming for religious tourism and employment, as well as mass population movement, either by refugees or internally displaced populations. Diagnosis and treatment of malaria is free of charge and malaria case reporting is mandatory in the public and private sectors. The main challenges for prevention of malaria reintroduction are population movements, the difficulty or impossibility of proper supervision and monitoring due to security concerns, and the loss of expertise.
Despite the critical situation in Iraq, great progress has been made in the field of malaria. Currently, Iraq is in the process of developing national strategy for malaria for 2016–2020. The main priorities for keeping the country malaria-free include:
- strengthening disease surveillance and vigilance;
- use of appropriate vector control interventions when needed;
- updating national antimalarial drug policy to include artesunate injection for treatment of severe malaria cases;
- provision of free diagnostics and antimalarial medicines, including rapid diagnostic tests for areas where malaria microscopy of assured quality is not available;
- monitoring and evaluation;
- and human resource development, particularly training or refresher courses for physicians and laboratory technicians on malaria treatment and diagnosis. There is also a need to procure medicines for the management of detected malaria cases.
Related link
Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.
Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes.
5 years ago, malaria killed nearly one million people globally each year, most of whom were children. The battle against this disease is an ongoing global one, in which Iraq has effectively participated and stands proud with its achievements today.
The last 2 indigenous malaria cases were reported in Iraq in 2008. In 2014, 2 imported cases of malaria were diagnosed in Iraq among non-national individuals. In 2015, another 2 imported cases were reported; one was national and one non-national. There is risk of re-introduction of malaria from visitors, including those coming for religious tourism and employment, as well as mass population movement, either by refugees or internally displaced populations. Diagnosis and treatment of malaria is free of charge and malaria case reporting is mandatory in the public and private sectors. The main challenges for prevention of malaria reintroduction are population movements, the difficulty or impossibility of proper supervision and monitoring due to security concerns, and the loss of expertise.
Despite the critical situation in Iraq, great progress has been made in the field of malaria. Currently, Iraq is in the process of developing national strategy for malaria for 2016–2020. The main priorities for keeping the country malaria-free include:
- strengthening disease surveillance and vigilance;
- use of appropriate vector control interventions when needed;
- updating national antimalarial drug policy to include artesunate injection for treatment of severe malaria cases;
- provision of free diagnostics and antimalarial medicines, including rapid diagnostic tests for areas where malaria microscopy of assured quality is not available;
- monitoring and evaluation;
- and human resource development, particularly training or refresher courses for physicians and laboratory technicians on malaria treatment and diagnosis. There is also a need to procure medicines for the management of detected malaria cases.
Related link
Malaria
