world malaria day - the shantanu tomar foundation

8/9/2019 World Malaria Day - The Shantanu Tomar Foundation

1/8

T H E S H A N T A N U T O M A R F O U N D AT I O N W O R K S I N A R E A S O F

E D U C A T I O N , H E A LT H C A R E A N D E N V I R O N M E N T W I T H A

S P E C I A L F O C U S O N M A L A R I A A N D O T H E R V E C T O R - B O R N E

D I S E A S E S I N I N D I A .

W E B : W W W . S H A N T A N U . O R G | E M A I L : C O N T A C T @ S H A N T A N U . O R G

2 5 T H A P R I L , 2 0 1 0

S O U R C E S : R O L L B A C K M A L A R I A | W H O W O R L D M A L A R I A R E P O R T 2 0 0 8 |

G R O U N D R E P O R T . C O M | U N I T E D A G A I N S T M A L A R I A

MALARIA IN INDIA
http://www.shantanu.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.shantanu.org/


2/8

World Malaria Day: April 25th, 2010

This 25th of April marks the third World Malaria Day, instituted to recognize global efforts to

effectively control Malaria. The Shantanu Tomar Foundation intends to support and participate

in the battle against this serious disease and this publication is aimed at creating awareness.

Why are we talking about Malaria?

For centuries India has been plagued by vector-borne diseases, which are only accelerated and

intensified due to climate change and rapid urbanization. We are frequently traumatized by

epidemics such as Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya or Encephalitis, to name the most rampant

ones.

Despite concerted efforts by the Government for decades, Malaria remains the number onehealth concern in India, along with TB and HIV/AIDS.

Although malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, every year there are over 250 Million

cases and over 1 million deaths worldwide.


3/8

Malaria: Some key facts & findings

Here are some findings and statistics on Malaria:-

According to WHOs World Malaria Report 2008, there were an estimated 10.6 Million cases ofMalaria in India in 2006.

This is hardly comparable to the estimated 1.5 Million Malaria cases in 2008 as per The

Government of India (NVBDCP), but what is alarming is that half of these were the deadlyPlasmodium falciparum strain of Malaria.

Half the worlds population today is at risk of Malaria. 67% of these numbers come from AsiaPacific (due to highly populated countries in this region). India shares the highest risk with 45%of estimated cases in the Asia Pacific region.

91% of the Indian population at risk lives in areas of high transmission of both strains of Malaria(Plasmodium vivaxand Plasmodium falciparum). Frequent epidemics occur in India and are oftencaused by large seasonal weather events. Malaria is endemic in all of India except at elevationsabove 1800 meters and in some coastal areas.


4/8

Malaria: Some key facts & findings contd.

Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab account for 67% of allcases in India.

Orissa, Assam & Maharashtra account for 80% of all Plasmodium falciparum Malaria which ispotentially fatal.

Five countries (India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) account forapproximately 93% of the death toll in the Asia Pacific region.

India alone accounts for 38% mortality in Asia Pacific.

Some unofficial estimates place Indias death toll due to Malaria at 40,000 annually.

We frequently find media reports on epidemics such as Dengue or Swine Flu which reflect masspanic (unofficial figures for swine flu cases in 2009 were approximately 13000 with 400+ deaths)but there has been very little importance attached to one of Indias largest health hazards -Malaria.


5/8

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes but is preventable andtreatable. The parasite is transmitted from person to person through the bite of a femaleAnopheles mosquito, which requires blood to nurture her eggs.

There are four types of human malaria:

1. P. vivax

2. P. malariae

3. P. ovale

4. P. falciparum

P. vivaxand P. falciparum are the most common with P. falciparum being the most deadly typeof malaria infection.

The malaria parasite enters the human host when an infected Anopheles mosquito takes a bloodmeal. Inside the human host, the parasite undergoes a series of changes as part of its complexlife-cycle. Malaria symptoms appear about 9 to 14 days after the infectious mosquito bite,although this varies with different plasmodium species.


6/8

Symptoms and Prevention

Prevention of Malaria in India can be achieved through thefollowing means:-

Vector Control

Personal Protection - by preventing mosquito bites, using sprays,insecticide treated mosquito nets etc.

Preventive Treatment especially to those who live in high riskareas and pregnant women. In India, certain states are moreprone to the deadly P. falciparum strain of Malaria and thereforeit is up to the doctors in such regions to administer anti-malarialdrugs for early intervention.

Responsible citizenship especially in new construction areaswhere large real estate projects are under way, civic bodies,communities and the developers in charge should ensure thatthere is no water logging or opportunities for vector breeding.

Collaboration between the Governments, civil societies andinfrastructure developers to plan and create efficient wastemanagement systems and breeding prevention programs.

Creating awareness about this disease, its prevention andtreatment.

Symptoms:

Typically, malaria produces

fever, headache, vomiting and

other flu-like symptoms.

If drugs are not available fortreatment or the parasites are

resistant to them, the infection

can progress rapidly to become

life-threatening. Malaria can kill

by infecting and destroying red

blood cells (anemia) and by

clogging the capillaries thatcarry blood to the brain

(cerebral malaria) or other vital

organs.


7/8

Treatment

Even though this disease has been known for centuries we are yet to receive a vaccine for

Malaria. The evolution of mosquitoes and their increasing resistance to known drugs is a constant

cause of concern.

Anti-Malarial drugs can stem the development of malarial parasites in the blood thereby

suppressing the disease.

P. falciparum Malaria needs immediate medical attention as it can be potentially fatal. This strain

has very high mortality rates and initial diagnosis may be complicated so people living in high risk

areas should consult their doctors as soon as symptoms appear and assess if there is a need for

Anti Malarial drugs.


8/8

Why we work with Malaria

In August 2009, Shantanu was diagnosed with P. falciparum Malaria. He

had moved to Mumbai in July 2009 and had a bright career in a law firm

to look forward to. He lived and worked in what are considered

upmarket, clean areas and was a healthy 25 year old. He was

misdiagnosed by two senior doctors, first for viral and then for jaundice,

thereby delaying the administration of life saving anti-malarial drugs.

Understanding that Maharashtra is a high risk area for P. falciparum

Malaria would have given Shantanu, his doctors and his family a chance

to stem the spread of this deadly disease in time.

The Shantanu Tomar Foundation has been established in Shantanus

memory, to honour his achievements and values and also to spread

awareness about P. falciparum Malaria. We urge readers to circulatethis document among their friends and networks and help create

awareness.

Shantanu Singh Tomar

web: www.shantanu.org

mail: [email protected]
http://www.shantanu.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.shantanu.org/

world malaria day - the shantanu tomar foundation

Documents