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29/11/2019

Why is malaria so common in sub-Saharan Africa?

Why is malaria so common in sub-Saharan Africa?

Africa is the most affected due to a combination of factors: A very efficient mosquito (Anopheles gambiae complex) is responsible for high transmission. The predominant parasite species is Plasmodium falciparum , which is the species that is most likely to cause severe malaria and death.

Is malaria in sub-Saharan Africa?

Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the WHO regions of South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, and the Americas are also at risk. Some population groups are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria, and developing severe disease, than others.

How common is malaria in sub-Saharan Africa?

In sub-Saharan Africa though, it is very much a daily problem. An estimated 90% of all 200 million malaria cases and 91% of all 445 000 malaria deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 ] (WHO, 2018), a region where malaria infection is usually endemic (infection is frequent year-round).

Why is malaria predominant in Africa?

Each of the malaria-transmitting mosquito species has different lengths of life-cycle, preferred aquatic habitat, and preferred feeding. The long lifespan and strong human-biting habit of the African species that carry malaria are the main reasons for the high incidence of malaria in Africa.

In which region of Africa is malaria most common?

The highest transmission is found in Africa South of the Sahara and in parts of Oceania such as Papua New Guinea. In cooler regions, transmission will be less intense and more seasonal. There, P. vivax might be more prevalent because it is more tolerant of lower ambient temperatures.

Where is malaria mostly found in Africa?

Disease burden Most were in the WHO African Region, with an estimated 200 million cases, or 92% of global cases. In 2017, five countries accounted for nearly half of all malaria cases worldwide. Four of these were in Africa: Nigeria (25%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (11%), Mozambique (5%), and Uganda (4%).

Where in Africa is malaria most common?

How does malaria affect a country’s development?

We know that poverty can promote malaria transmission, and that malaria causes poverty by blocking economic growth. Research shows that malaria can strain national economics, having a deleterious impact on some nations’ GDP by as much as an estimated 5 – 6%.

Why is malaria more common in poor countries?

The High Cost of Malaria Malaria is directly related to poverty and economic inequality in underdeveloped countries due to the exponential costs that these countries must face by both individuals and governments.