Knowledge is power: The Truth About Malaria 815 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017 Toll Free 855.312.HEAL www.inspirationfund.org
Chapter One: What is malaria?...3 Chapter Two: Where can malaria be found?...6 Chapter Three: The truth about Rita Mosquito...9 Chapter Four: What can be done to prevent malaria?...12 Copyright 2011 Episcopal Relief & Development All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of the following for Episcopal Relief & Development: John Robinson, page 3, 4 Mike DuBose, United Methodist News Service, page 11, top and bottom Barbara Case Senchak, page 13 The Rev. Dr. Mark Anschutz, page 14, top Episcopal Relief & Development 2
Chapter One: What is malaria? What is malaria? Malaria is a common but deadly disease caused by parasites. Humans contract malaria when a mosquito carrying the parasite bites them, and injects the parasite into the bloodstream. What kind of parasite carries malaria? There are four species of parasites that cause malaria in humans. The most common species in Africa is Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the most virulent form of the disease it can be fatal within hours if not treated. This parasite is carried by the Anopheles mosquito, a type that bites mainly between dusk and dawn. Episcopal Relief & Development 3
Anopheles mosquitoes breed in water and each species has its own breeding preference; for example, some prefer shallow collections of fresh water, such as in rice fields, puddles and animal hoof prints. Transmission rates are higher in places where mosquitoes life spans are longer (so that the parasite has time to complete its development inside the mosquito) and where they prefer to bite humans rather than other animals. For example, the long life span and strong human-biting habit of the Anopheles species are the main reasons why more than 85% of the world s malaria deaths are in Africa. Transmission rates also depend on climatic conditions that may affect the number and survival of mosquitoes, such as rainfall patterns, temperature and humidity. In many places, transmission is seasonal, with the peak during and just after the rainy season. Episcopal Relief & Development 4
What are the symptoms of malaria? Malaria symptoms typically appear 10 to 16 days after the infectious mosquito bite, when the infected red blood cells begin to burst. Patients experience flu-like symptoms, including chills, fever, sweating, nausea, headache and vomiting. If untreated, malaria can cause anemia, kidney failure, coma and even death. Who is most vulnerable to malaria? Nearly one million people die from malaria each year, mostly children younger than five years old. Young children are most vulnerable because they have not built up any immunity to the disease, and without immunity, the infections tend to be more severe and lifethreatening. Pregnant women are at risk because their immune systems are compromised by pregnancy. Additionally, women who contract malaria during their pregnancies tend to have infants that are premature or of low birth weight, both of which decrease the babies chances of survival during their first years. Malaria affects individuals, families and entire communities. Adults are unable to work and provide food for their families. Children are not able to learn if they are sick. Communities cannot thrive if people are unable to carry on their normal lives because they are ill. Episcopal Relief & Development 5
Chapter Two: Where is malaria found? Where is malaria found? Approximately half of the world s population is at risk of malaria. In 2009, malaria was present in 108 countries and territories. Areas affected include Asia, Latin America and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East and parts of Europe. However, 85% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths occur in sub-saharan Africa. What is sub- Saharan Africa? Sub-Saharan Africa is a geographical term referring to the area of the African continent that lies south of the Sahara Desert. 6
What is the climate in sub-saharan Africa? Sub-Saharan Africa has a wide variety of climate zones, ranging from tropical rainforest to desert. Some countries in this region are considered mega-diverse, meaning that they harbor among the greatest numbers and diversity of animal and plant species on Earth. Most of these biodiverse countries are located in the tropics. Learn more about the climate and culture of Ghana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia by reading the Lesson 2 Country One-Pagers at www. inspirationfund.org, click on Resources, then Campaign Information and Congregational Tools, then Stories from the Field. What is the effect of malaria in sub-saharan Africa? Malaria is a public health problem in more than 100 countries in the world, resulting in 247 million cases of infection annually. Ninety percent of all malaria deaths occur in sub-saharan Africa, due to the lack of available prevention and treatment options, as well as the prevalence of malaria-infected mosquitoes. The disease costs an estimated $12 billion in lost productivity each year in Africa. Episcopal Relief & Development 7
While the mortality rate for children under age five has declined in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is still very high. In 2002, 17% of children died before the age of five; by 2007 this number had declined to 15%. The leading cause of death was malaria infection. Among all people, malaria affects those in poverty the most, because they often have limited access to health care or cannot afford treatment. When people are ill and unable to work for long periods of time, the disease can trap families and communities in a downward spiral of poverty. To learn more about the countries in sub- Saharan Africa in which NetsforLife works, visit: www. inspirationfund.org and click About Malaria. Episcopal Relief & Development 8
Chapter Three: The truth about Rita Mosquito What is in a name? The word malaria is derived from the Latin words for bad air. It was once thought that malaria was caused by something in the air. Though malaria has been around for several thousand years, it was not until 1880 that a scientist discovered it was actually caused by a parasite. Several years later, it was discovered that this parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquito means little fly in Spanish. The type of mosquito that transmits malaria is the Anopheles mosquito. Anopheles comes from Greek words meaning without value. The scientists who named Rita saw her as worthless and only bringing about suffering to human beings. 9
The truth about Rita The truth is, Rita is one of God s creatures and has her role in our environment. Mosquitoes are eaten by birds, bats, lizards and fish. Although annoying and dangerous to humans, mosquitoes have their place in the food chain. Mosquitoes must have standing or still water in which to breed. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. These eggs then become larvae that eat algae and bacteria in the water. The larvae then grow into pupae and eventually become adult mosquitoes. Male mosquitoes do not bite people and live only on plant nectar. Female mosquitoes eat human blood to nourish their eggs, and only while they are incubating eggs before laying them. The proteins in blood help the eggs develop. Female mosquitoes are attracted to heat and to carbon dioxide, which is exhaled as people breathe. They bite mostly in the evening hours, when most people are asleep. Malaria is spread when the female mosquito bites someone who has the malaria parasite in his or her blood. The mosquito also eats the parasite when she consumes the blood, and then passes this parasite on to subsequent people she bites. What are the misconceptions and myths about malaria? A challenge in preventing malaria are the misconceptions and myths about what causes the disease. In sub-saharan Africa, some believe malaria is caused by eating cold or contaminated food, working or sitting in the hot sun, breathing bad air, or witches and demons. In the late 1880s, when malaria was still rife in the United States, myths also existed about its cause and were later dispelled by scientists. Knowing the truth about malaria and its causes is the first step in preventing illness and death from this disease. Episcopal Relief & Development 10
Episcopal Relief & Development 11
Chapter Four: How can malaria be prevented? Elimination of standing water helps reduce incidence of the disease by disrupting the life cycle of mosquitoes and killing them before they can bite. However, the front line of defense in preventing malaria consists of training and educating communities about the causes of malaria and how to use and care for long-lasting insecticide-treated nets. These nets provide a protective covering for the body while releasing chemicals to repel and kill the infection-carrying mosquitoes. Use of insecticide-treated bed nets prevents people from being bitten while they are sleeping and when mosquitoes are most active. Communitywide use of bed nets is critical. Malaria can be nearly eliminated from a community when everyone receives education and training on the symptoms of malaria, how to prevent it, and how to properly use and care for their nets. This will protect them from future infection. What can be done to prevent malaria? A number of drugs are available in the United States to treat malaria. Drugs may also be taken before traveling to an area with malaria, in order to prevent getting the disease. However, for those living in sub-saharan Africa, these drugs are not widely available and are expensive. Episcopal Relief & Development 12
How does NetsforLife work? Since 2008, NetsforLife has delivered over 5.6 million nets across 17 countries in sub-saharan Africa, resulting in less sickness, fewer deaths and stronger communities. NetsforLife combats malaria by training community agents to deliver life-saving nets, educating community members about proper net use and maintenance, and providing ongoing monitoring and evaluation of net use. NetsforLife works to instill a net culture a community-wide understanding of the protective value of nets and the right way to use and maintain them. When a net culture is in place, people know how to prevent malaria, when to seek medical treatment and how to access effective treatment. More than 37 million people have benefited from NetsforLife to date. Episcopal Relief & Development 13
What can we do to help? Knowledge is power. A primary objective of this lesson is to give you the facts about malaria, so that you will be able think about how you might be called to help with the issue of malaria eradication. Once we are aware of the needs of others, we may find ourselves called to assist with those very needs. This assistance can take the form of donating bed nets, consciousness-raising in our communities, praying for the needs of others, or simply making ourselves aware of serious issues and challenges facing those in other parts of the world. What if I want to do more? Episcopal Relief & Development and the NetsforLife Inspiration Fund invite your participation in our campaign to build awareness of malaria s causes and effects and to raise $5 million by December 2012 to support the work of NetsforLife. To learn more, please go to our website, www.inspirationfund.org, and access our range of free educational resources. Episcopal Relief & Development 14