Beware of malaria, it can cause death

The health director of the Gazipaşa district, Dr. Eşşe Çelik recalled that malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by plasmodium parasites that spread to humans through the bites of infected female anopheles mosquitoes. Çelik stated that this preventable and treatable disease is considered a serious public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, saying: “In 2021, about 247 million new cases of malaria were seen and 619 thousand deaths fell because of this infection. An estimated 95 percent of all malaria cases and related deaths occur in Africa. Malaria is a feverish, acute disease that causes flu-like symptoms. Symptoms appear 7 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito, but can also occur over a longer period of time.The first symptoms are fever, headache, chills and vomiting.The disease is difficult to define as malaria.Especially if malaria of the P. falciparum species is not treated within 24 hours, exacerbation of the the disease and even death Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria prevents deaths “The disease can worsen severely,” Çelik said, adding, “In some patients, malaria can worsen more severely.” Other high-risk groups include those who travel to African countries for work or travel. going where malaria is common, such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and those who do not receive preventive treatment.

The World Health Organization recommends taking preventative medication before traveling to areas where malaria is common, using mosquito nets when sleeping in these areas and mosquito repellent after sunset, wearing long protective clothing to cover arms and legs, and placing mosquito nets on windows . Türkiye is at risk due to climate Gazipaşa District Health Director Dr. Eşşe Çelik said: “As a result of the successful work of our ministry, there is no case of malaria in Turkey. However, due to climate change, changes in vector habitats, large population movements, irregular migrants and the increase in the number of people traveling to and from malaria endemic countries, cases of malaria originating from abroad are observed in our country. Turkey is at risk of malaria due to the presence of anopheles mosquitoes and its location in the subtropical climate zone. For this reason, our ministry continues its activities within the framework of the Malaria Elimination Program. Follow-ups of cases of malaria surveillance are carried out, diagnosis and treatment are given as soon as possible. Drugs used in the treatment of malaria are provided by the Ministry of Health and given to patients free of charge. Preventive malaria medicines are available in our country free of charge at the Travel Health Centers that are affiliated with the General Directorate of Health of the Turkish Borders and Coasts of our Ministry.