Decreasing Malaria Cases in India
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Health
Overview
- News in Brief
- Global Malaria Trends
- Reason for Decreasing Malaria Cases in India
- About Malaria and its Impact
- Previous Year Question
Why in the News?
In contrast to the worldwide situation, India continues to see a drop in malaria incidence and deaths in 2022, according to the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) data.
News in Brief
- Contrasting the global trend, India continued to witness a decline in malaria cases and deaths in 2022, according to a new WHO report released Thursday.
- There were around 33 lakh malaria cases and 5,000 deaths in India last year, a decrease of 30% and 34 % respectively compared with 2021.
- Globally, there were 249 million cases in 2022, 5 million more than in 2021.
Global Malaria Trends
- According to the World Malaria Report 2023, there have been 233 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2019 compared to 243 million cases in 2000, marking a plateau over the previous ten years.
- During the pandemic, the pattern shifted, with an 11 million increase in cases in 2020.
- The numbers increased in 2022 after remaining stable in 2021.
- This increase in cases was accompanied by an increase in deaths.
- This change in the world environment highlights how the pandemic has affected the dynamics of malaria transmission.
Reason for Decreasing Malaria Cases in India
- Strong management and prevention initiatives are to blame for the drop in malaria cases and fatalities in India.
- A major part has been played by
- Accessibility of efficient vector control methods
- Point-of-care diagnostics
- Timely community-based therapy.
- Besides efficient medical practices and resources for the management and treatment of malaria cases.
- Experts attribute India’s success in the fight against malaria to these elements and emphasize the need for ongoing efforts to maintain and improve these preventive measures.
About Malaria and its Impact
- Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through mosquito bites.
- The illness starts with symptoms such as fever, headaches and chills and without treatment, can progress quickly to severe illness and often death.
- Preventable and mostly curable if diagnosed and treated promptly.
- The World Health Organization estimates there were 229 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2019.
- 409,000 deaths occurred due to malaria.
- Around 94% of all infections were reported in Africa.
- The best available treatment is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:
1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant Women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed Cord clamping at the time of child birth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: C
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