Malaria is a parasite-caused disease that is usually acquired through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito.

It can be transmitted in the following ways: (1)blood transfusion from an infected individual; (2)sharing of IV needles; and (3)transplacenta (transfer of malaria parasites from an infected mother to its unborn child).
incubation period in most cases varies from 7 to 30 days.

Malaria parasites are micro-organisms that belong to the genus Plasmodium o P. falciparum, which is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas, can cause severe malaria o P. vivax, which is found mostly in Asia, Latin America, and in some parts of Africa. o P. ovale is found mostly in Africa (especially West Africa) and the islands of the western Pacific. o P. malariae, found worldwide, o P. knowlesi is found throughout Southeast Asia

The classical (but rarely observed) malaria attack lasts 6-10 hours. o a cold stage (sensation of cold, shivering) o a hot stage (fever, headaches, vomiting; seizures in young children) o and finally a sweating stage (sweats, return to normal temperature, tiredness) Classically (but infrequently observed) the attacks occur every second day with the "tertian" parasites (P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. ovale) and every third day with the "quartan" parasite (P. malariae).

Who Is Most Vulnerable? o Young children, who have not yet developed partial immunity to malaria o Pregnant women, whose immunity is decreased by pregnancy, especially during the first and second pregnancies o Travelers or migrants coming from areas with little or no malaria transmission, who lack immunity.

 Uncomplicated malaria: o Fever o Chills o Sweats o Headaches o muscle pains o nausea and vomiting

Severe malaria: o Confusion o coma o focal neurologic signs o severe anemia o respiratory difficulties ***A patient with symptoms of severe malaria should be assessed quickly and treated immediately. Severe malaria is most often caused by the most dangerous parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.

Physical findings may include: o Elevated temperatures o Perspiration o Weakness o Enlarged spleen o Mild jaundice o Enlargement of the liver o Increased respiratory rate

Diagnosis: depends on the demonstration of parasites in the blood, usually by microscopy. Additional laboratory findings may include mild anemia, mild decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), elevation of bilirubin, and elevation of aminotransferases.

The World Health Organization recommends that patients in malaria-endemic areas be treated within 24 hours after their first symptoms appear. Treatment of a patient with malaria depends on the countrys national guidelines, which typically take the following into consideration:
Type (species) of the infecting parasite Clinical status of the patient Any accompanying illness(es) or condition(s) Pregnancy Drug allergies, or other medications taken by the patient Where the infection was acquired and the presence of antimalarial drug resistance there.

Drugs approved by the World Health Organization and those most commonly recommended by national malaria control programs in the malaria-endemic world:
artemesinin-based combination treatments, (e.g, artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine) atovaquone-proguanil chloroquine* doxycycline mefloquine* quinine primaquine- It is active against the dormant parasite liver forms (hypnozoites ) and can prevent relapses of P. vivax and P. ovale. It should not be taken by pregnant women or by people who are deficient in G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) *Two of these drugs, chloroquine and mefloquine, are no longer effective in some or many parts of
the world.

 3.3 billion people live in areas at risk of malaria transmission in 106 countries and territories. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2010 malaria caused 219 million clinical episodes, and 660,000 deaths.

An estimated 91% of deaths in 2010 were in the African Region, followed by the South-East Asian Region (6%), and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (3%). About 86% of deaths globally were in children.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and prevention

Geography: Malaria occurs mostly in poor, tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

In the Philippines.
According to DOH: There were only 9,642 cases recorded in 2011 as compared to 43,441 in 2003 (80 percent decrease in malaria cases) 58 provinces, are currently listed as endemic Nine have actually reached elimination status (or do not have malaria cases for at least three years) and are in various stages of evaluation. Forty are on the way to elimination status, reporting less than one case per 1,000 population-at-risk, and Ten provinces have their cases under control. The nine provinces that have reached elimination status are Abra, Batanes, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Dinagat, Laguna, Misamis Oriental, Quirino, and Romblon. Based on these data, the Philippines has a very high possibility of being declared malaria-free by 2020, -DOH
Source: doh.gov.ph

 Vector control is a fundamental element of the existing global strategy to fight malaria. Vector control interventions have a proven track record of successfully reducing or interrupting disease transmission, particularly in areas that are highly prone to malaria. Core vector control methods: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs)

Source:WHO

Vision: Malaria-free Philippines

Program Strategies: The DOH, in coordination with its key partners and the LGUs, implements the following interventions: 1.Early diagnosis and prompt treatment Diagnostic Centers were established and strengthened to achieve this strategy. The utilization of these diagnostic centers is promoted to sustain its functionality. 2. Vector control The use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, complemented with indoor residual spraying, prevents malaria transmission. 3. Enhancement of local capacity LGUs are capacitated to manage and implement community-based malaria control through social mobilization.

Twenty three (23) provinces have maintained malaria-free status:

Albay, Aklan, Batangas, Benguet. Biliran, Bohol, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Guimaras, Iloilo, Marinduque, Masbate, Siquijor, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Northern Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Western Samar and Surigao del Norte.
Source: DOH