• UGI USER
  • Dec 06, 2023
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MALARIA CASES IN INDIA – WHO REPORT 2023

In 2022, India accounted for a significant 66% of malaria cases in the WHO Southeast Asia Region, as revealed by the World Malaria Report 2023.

Source: Physiopedia

Malaria:

  • Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, and flu-like illness
  • Plasmodium vivax, a protozoan parasite and the primary cause of

recurring malaria, contributed to almost 46% of cases in the region.

Global Malaria Trends:

  • Despite progress in access to preventive measures like insecticide-treated nets and medications, the global scenario witnessed an alarming increase.
  • Globally, there were 249 million malaria cases in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 233 million cases in 2019.

Challenges and Threats to Malaria Response:

  • The WHO Southeast Asia Region, contributing 2% of global malaria cases, experienced a notable 76% decline in cases from 23 million in 2000 to about five million in 2022.
  • Reasons:Disruptions caused by COVID-19, drug and insecticide resistance, humanitarian crises, resource constraints, and climate change impacts have posed challenges to the global malaria response.
  • The report emphasizes the link between climate change and malaria, highlighting the substantial risks it poses, particularly in vulnerable regions.

Call for Action and Innovation:

  • Increased resources, strengthened political commitment, data-driven strategies, and innovative tools are deemed essential to overcome challenges and achieve progress.
  • The focus on developing more efficient, effective, and affordable products through innovation in the malaria response.