Background
Malaria is a serious and life threatening disease which is caused by the protozoan parasite, Plasmodium. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. There are four different types of malaria which affect humans: Plasmodium falciparum (which is mainly responsible for the majority of deaths by malaria), Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae. There is also a fifth type, Plasmodium knowlesi, which is a parasite that usually infects monkeys, but recently, there have been cases of malaria caused by P. knowlesi. These cases have been reported in humans in South East Asia, and in 2006 the first case was reported in the UK.
Malaria is a major threat to public health and economic development in Africa. Current estimates indicate that at least one to three million children die of malaria each year in Africa alone. Efforts to eradicate malaria have failed and parasite resistance to the most commonly used and affordable anti-malarial drugs is developing rapidly. Insecticide resistance in the vector is also an evolving problem. A malaria vaccine is the subject of much research but the funding is still insufficient.
Malaria is a major threat to public health and economic development in Africa. Current estimates indicate that at least one to three million children die of malaria each year in Africa alone. Efforts to eradicate malaria have failed and parasite resistance to the most commonly used and affordable anti-malarial drugs is developing rapidly. Insecticide resistance in the vector is also an evolving problem. A malaria vaccine is the subject of much research but the funding is still insufficient.
reasons why malaria is deadly
What makes Malaria most deadly in third world countries is the malaria parasite's ability to change its coat easily. Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes, and in third world countries there isn't much sanitation and so mosquitoes have easy access to people, and there isn't much protection against mosquitoes. The areas around the equatorial ring such as, Africa, South East Asia, India and other poorly sanitized areas are exposed to anopheles mosquitoes as they have poor sanitation and reduced protection. People living in third world countries do not have a strong immune system which can build up a good resistance to the parasite. This is another reason why it is so difficult to get rid of the parasite. A form of malaria is Cerebral Malaria, the most lethal form of Malaria. Most victims of this type often die and surviving patients of cerebral malaria are left with brain damage.
The Anopheles mosquito
The anopheles mosquito carries malaria because of its different biology. Most mosquitoes can kill the parasite, however, the anopheles is weaker, and it is more difficult to get rid of the parasite. There is a special relationship between the malaria parasite and the anopheles which lets them work together. The Anopheles mosquito lives near the equator due to the temperature and environment. It is difficult to vaccinate against malaria because there are many forms of it and each time it changes it's form the body has to make different antibodies so you can't make just one vaccine.
Reported cases of malaria
Approximately 3.4 billion people in the world are at risk of malaria today. In 2012, studies show that approximately 207 million people were affected by malaria, with an uncertainty range of 135 million to 287 million. An estimated 627000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 473000 to 789000) occurred in 2012, which was the peak year of the disease. Since 2000 there has been a 42% decrease in cases of malaria due to increased prevention and control. Most of these deaths occur in Africa, where a child dies every minute from the disease.
Today, approximately 300 million people are affected by malaria. Between 1 and 1.5 million people of those who are affected die from it each year. Previously extremely widespread, the disease is now mainly confined to Africa, Asia and South America. 80% of the cases occur in tropical Africa, where malaria accounts for 10% to 30% of all hospital admissions.
Today, approximately 300 million people are affected by malaria. Between 1 and 1.5 million people of those who are affected die from it each year. Previously extremely widespread, the disease is now mainly confined to Africa, Asia and South America. 80% of the cases occur in tropical Africa, where malaria accounts for 10% to 30% of all hospital admissions.
Future Questions
How long will it take to find a vaccine?
It is currently unknown how long it will take for a Vaccine to be found as it is such a complicated parasite.
Will there ever be a vaccine?
A Vaccine for Malaria should come around eventually but in the very far future.
How many people have to die before the funding researchers need is granted?
No one has to die until the funding is granted but most likely over 1 million people will have died by the time a cure is found.
Will there ever be the funding to conduct the research they need to do?
there could possibly be enough money funded for the research but there will need to be billions donated and raised before there are enough funds.
What is the future for Malaria and its vaccine?
Malaria will continue killing thousands of people per year in the near future if action is not taken and its vaccine coukd come around in the far future.
Will Malaria ever be eradicated?
At the current rate of progression towards a Vaccine, Malaria will never be eradicated but if the funds are found and research continues we coukd be looking at a Malaria free country in 500+ years
Will people lose interest in finding a vaccine for Malaria because It doesn’t affect developed countries?
Most likely the communities around the world will give up on funding for the research, the only people that won't give up are the scientists that do the research because they recognise that diseases evolve and over time Malaria could be immune to cold climates and could live in other mosquito's.
It is currently unknown how long it will take for a Vaccine to be found as it is such a complicated parasite.
Will there ever be a vaccine?
A Vaccine for Malaria should come around eventually but in the very far future.
How many people have to die before the funding researchers need is granted?
No one has to die until the funding is granted but most likely over 1 million people will have died by the time a cure is found.
Will there ever be the funding to conduct the research they need to do?
there could possibly be enough money funded for the research but there will need to be billions donated and raised before there are enough funds.
What is the future for Malaria and its vaccine?
Malaria will continue killing thousands of people per year in the near future if action is not taken and its vaccine coukd come around in the far future.
Will Malaria ever be eradicated?
At the current rate of progression towards a Vaccine, Malaria will never be eradicated but if the funds are found and research continues we coukd be looking at a Malaria free country in 500+ years
Will people lose interest in finding a vaccine for Malaria because It doesn’t affect developed countries?
Most likely the communities around the world will give up on funding for the research, the only people that won't give up are the scientists that do the research because they recognise that diseases evolve and over time Malaria could be immune to cold climates and could live in other mosquito's.