In countries like the United State of American and other temperate regions, malaria has been totally eradicated. However, people who travel from these countries to regions where malaria is still in existence can easily be affected by this parasite.
Causes of Malaria
Malaria is caused by a single celled parasite. This parasite is from the genus Plasmodium. Each of them affects humans independently and it is possible for two of the species to affect a person simultaneously.
The species are;
1. Plasmodium Vive
This specie was once common to the temperate region. Now, their occurrence is mostly in Asia. This Plasmodium Vive is responsible for Malaria Relapse that is capable of reoccurring in a person for 3 years. The malaria that resulted from this specie of plasmodium is not severe.
2. Plasmodium Malaria
This is commonly found in Africa. It can stay in the human body for years without showing any symptoms. 3. Plasmodium Falciparum
This parasite develops quickly and shows immediate symptoms. It can be life threatening and lead to numerous medical complications. 4. Plasmodium Ovule
This is the rarest of all the plasmodium species. Symptoms of Malaria
Even without treatment, the malaria can subside for a few weeks in P. vive, P. ovule, and P. malaria; however in P. falciparum, there is no period when the symptoms subside. This is because, unlike other Plasmodium specie where the parasite infects only matured Red Blood Cell, P. falciparum has the capability of infecting the red blood stage at all its developmental stages. This explains why there is a high level of parasite within the blood in P. falciparum infection.
Malaria is a disease that is caused by a parasite that lives a part of its life in mosquitoes and another part in the human body. As of today, Malaria remains the top most cause of death in the world. It is a big threat to the lives of more than one-third of the entire world's population. The climatic condition of the tropical areas of Africa, Asia, South and Central America is favorable for the carrier of this parasite; hence, it is a common disease in this area. Each year about 500 million people are attacked by this parasite and more than a million loss their lives to this parasite. Sadly, most of those whose lives the parasite claim are children.
In countries like the United State of American and other temperate regions, malaria has been totally eradicated. However, people who travel from these countries to regions where malaria is still in existence can easily be affected by this parasite.
