WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MALARIA

1. What is Malaria?

Malaria is a life threatening disease, which is caused by a parasite transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito.

2. How is malaria spread?

When the female anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, the parasite continues to develop within the mosquito until it reaches an infectious stage. If the mosquito then bites someone it passes on the parasite to that person and the cycle continues.

3. Can any other mosquito transmit the disease?

No. Only a FEMALE Anopheles mosquito can transmit the disease.

4. Can I get Malaria from human to human contact, such as touching, hugging etc?

No. Malaria is not spread directly from one person to the other but must involve a female anopheles mosquito.

5. What are the signs and symptoms of malaria?

• Fever
• Chills
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches

6. What should I do if I have signs and symptoms of malaria?

• Contact your doctor or nearest health centre
• Follow all instructions given by the Ministry of Health

7. What are the habits of this mosquito that spread malaria?

The female anopheles mosquito starts biting in the early evening until night and feeds also at dawn.

8. Where do female Anopheles mosquitoes breed?

They breed in clean water especially during the rainy season. Breeding sites include:

• Ground pools (pools of water)
• Gullies
• Construction sites
• River margins (riverside)
• Streams
• Areas where there are clean, slow running water

9. How can we prevent malaria from spreading?

• Get rid of mosquito breeding places
• Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET chemical
• Sleep under mosquito nets
• Wear coloured long sleeves, pants when outdoors at nights
• Close windows before dark and keep open only when fogging is being done.

10. How long after you are bitten by an infected mosquito will you have symptoms of the disease?

Infected persons will begin to experience symptoms 7-14 days after being bitten by a female Anopheles mosquito.

11. How will the doctor decide that I have malaria?

The doctor will check for signs and symptoms of the infection and if deemed necessary a blood test will be done to determine if you have a malaria infection.

12. What age group is most a risk for malaria?

Children and elderly persons are more vulnerable to infectious diseases such as malaria because their immune systems are not as strong as other age groups. But so far young adults appear to be at greater risk.

13. Can a person on treatment stay in their own home?

Your doctor will determine this, as factors such as your environment and the extent of the infection will have to be taken into consideration.

14. Why is the Ministry of Health spraying the community?

Spraying is necessary to rid the community of adult mosquitoes which transmit malaria.

15. Why is spraying and fogging done in the evenings?

Spraying and fogging are done in the evenings because this is the time when adult mosquitoes are most active.

16. Where can I get more information about malaria?

To get more information about malaria you can contact your doctor, local health department, nearest health centre, the Ministry of Health or call the Malaria Helpline at 1-888-663-5683.

17. After 50 years why are we having a re-emergence of malaria?

Malaria still exists in many countries all over the world. Visitors from, and to these countries are some times carriers of the malaria parasite which can be transmitted to non-infected persons through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito.

Over time we have identified cases of imported malaria which have been successfully managed.

18. What will happen if I don’t get treatment for malaria?

You can put other persons at risk as you may be carrying the malaria parasite. If a female Anopheles mosquito bites you and then another person the disease can be spread to others.

If you are promptly treated you can be cured provided you complete your treatment. Non-treatment can lead to serious complications.

19. Where can I get a vaccine to prevent malaria?

There is no vaccine to prevent malaria.

20. How can I protect myself from malaria?

You can protect yourself from malaria by taking the necessary precaution to prevent being bitten. These precautionary measures include:

• Covering the body by wearing long sleeves, pants and socks at nights
• Sleeping under a mosquito net
• Using insect repellent which contains the DEET chemical
• Close windows and doors before dark but open when fogging is being done
• Get rid of all mosquito breeding sites in your home and community

21. What kind of insecticide should I use to kill the mosquitoes in my home?