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.