Malaria Elimination [UPSC Notes]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Azerbaijan and Tajikistan as malaria-free. What causes malaria? How can it be eliminated? Understand these concepts in this article. Aspirants can also download important UPSC notes from the table at the end of this article to help clear the IAS exam.

About Malaria

Malaria is a serious and life-threatening disease caused by a parasite. 

• It is caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. 
• Malaria is still widespread in tropical and subtropical nations while being rare in temperate areas.
• Symptoms: The symptoms can be minor or fatal. Fever, chills, and headaches are considered mild symptoms. Fatigue, confusion, convulsions, and breathing difficulties are among the severe symptoms.
• Parasites of Malaria: The two most dangerous Plasmodium parasite species—Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax—are among the five that cause malaria in humans. 
  • The most common and lethal malaria parasite on the continent of Africa is P. falciparum.
  • The most common malaria parasite outside of sub-Saharan Africa is P. vivax.  
  • P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi are the additional types of malaria that can infect people.

Know more about World Malaria Day in the linked article.

Certification of Malaria Elimination

• The WHO certifies a country as being rid of malaria and formally acknowledges this fact. 
• The certification is given when a nation can demonstrate that the Anopheles mosquito-borne malaria transmission chain has been broken nationwide for at least the previous three years.  
• A nation must also show that it has the ability to stop transmission from starting up again. 
• The independent Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification makes recommendations to the WHO Director-General, who makes the final decision regarding the issuance of a malaria-free certification. 
• The WHO has verified that 41 nations and 1 territory, including 21 nations in the European Region, are malaria-free. 

Malaria Elimination [UPSC Notes]:- Download PDF Here