Malaria

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale) that are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

The World malaria report 2019 estimates that globally, there were an estimated 228 million cases of malaria in 89 countries. The estimated number of malaria deaths in 2018 stood at 405 000. Most malaria cases in 2018 were in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region (213 million or 93%), followed by the WHO South-East Asia Region with 3.4% of the cases and the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region with 2.1%. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, three countries accounted for 98% of the total reported cases in the region, the main contributor being India (58%), followed by Indonesia (30%) and Myanmar (10%).  According to the WMR 2019, India represents 3% of the global malaria burden. Despite being the highest malaria burden country of the SEA region, India showed a reduction in reported malaria cases of 49% and deaths of 50.5% compared with 2017. India has made remarkable progress during the recent years in reducing the malaria incidence. The good news is that the World Malaria Report has also documented the remarkable decline in malaria incidence in India, the estimated malaria cases were reduced by 24% in 2017 compared to 2016 and 28% in 2018 compared to 2017.

In May 2015, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for Malaria Elimination 2016-2030, which lays down clear global goals, milestones and targets till 2030. In accordance with the GTS, the Government of India launched the National Framework for Malaria Elimination 2016-2030 in February 2016 and the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination 2017-2022 in July 2017 with WHO support. India has a vision of a malaria free country by 2027 and elimination by 2030. WHO supported the country to accelerate malaria elimination activities in the states as per NSP 2017-2022. WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) strategy has been initiated in four high endemic states i.e. West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in July 2019.

Malaria is entirely preventable and treatable. Use of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) by people at risk and indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes are useful. Early diagnosis and complete treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents deaths. It also contributes to reducing malaria transmission. The best available treatment is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Increased malaria prevention and control measures have dramatically reduced malaria in India.