Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentary
Abstract Background Malaria is a parasitic infection primarily caused by four main species of the genus Plasmodium, that is, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium malariae. It is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. It holds the status of...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Health Science Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1620 |
| _version_ | 1797310557797220352 |
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| author | Shehroze Tabassum Tuaseen Kalsoom Zaofashan Zaheer Aroma Naeem Ahmed Afifi Laya Ohadi |
| author_facet | Shehroze Tabassum Tuaseen Kalsoom Zaofashan Zaheer Aroma Naeem Ahmed Afifi Laya Ohadi |
| author_sort | Shehroze Tabassum |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Malaria is a parasitic infection primarily caused by four main species of the genus Plasmodium, that is, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium malariae. It is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. It holds the status of one of the leading causes of death in the developing world. Malaria is endemic to Pakistan, and the country experienced the worst floods in its history from April to October 2022. The stagnant flood water served as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, culminating in an alarming spike in malaria cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of cases reported till August 2022 was more than in the whole year of 2021. There was more than a twofold rise in cumulative cases in 62 high‐burden Pakistani Districts in August 2022 as compared to August 2021. Aims This commentary aims to bring this emerging issue to notice and highlight the most effective probable measures to help eliminate and prevent the hazards the current outbreak poses. Results Rapid planning and execution are needed to ensure the most efficient and rapid elimination of malaria. To educate the general public, the national government must start public awareness efforts in electronic, print, and social media and deploy solar‐powered mobile healthcare units to far‐flung areas. Prophylactic and postexposure treatments should be planned because larvicidal preventive measures are less practical in flood‐affected vicinities. Conclusion The most effective preventive strategy is drug prophylaxis, followed by insecticide‐treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and untreated nets. Scientists should intensify their investigations for effective medications to alleviate the malaria burden in Pakistan. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T01:45:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-edf848f4cd9b49568318aab72da68c2b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2398-8835 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T01:45:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Science Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-edf848f4cd9b49568318aab72da68c2b2024-02-14T13:06:22ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352023-10-01610n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.1620Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentaryShehroze Tabassum0Tuaseen Kalsoom1Zaofashan Zaheer2Aroma Naeem3Ahmed Afifi4Laya Ohadi5King Edward Medical University Lahore PakistanKing Edward Medical University Lahore PakistanKing Edward Medical University Lahore PakistanKing Edward Medical University Lahore PakistanBenha University Faculty of Medicine Banha EgyptShahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranAbstract Background Malaria is a parasitic infection primarily caused by four main species of the genus Plasmodium, that is, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium malariae. It is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. It holds the status of one of the leading causes of death in the developing world. Malaria is endemic to Pakistan, and the country experienced the worst floods in its history from April to October 2022. The stagnant flood water served as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, culminating in an alarming spike in malaria cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of cases reported till August 2022 was more than in the whole year of 2021. There was more than a twofold rise in cumulative cases in 62 high‐burden Pakistani Districts in August 2022 as compared to August 2021. Aims This commentary aims to bring this emerging issue to notice and highlight the most effective probable measures to help eliminate and prevent the hazards the current outbreak poses. Results Rapid planning and execution are needed to ensure the most efficient and rapid elimination of malaria. To educate the general public, the national government must start public awareness efforts in electronic, print, and social media and deploy solar‐powered mobile healthcare units to far‐flung areas. Prophylactic and postexposure treatments should be planned because larvicidal preventive measures are less practical in flood‐affected vicinities. Conclusion The most effective preventive strategy is drug prophylaxis, followed by insecticide‐treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and untreated nets. Scientists should intensify their investigations for effective medications to alleviate the malaria burden in Pakistan.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1620COVID‐19infectious diseasemalariapublic health |
| spellingShingle | Shehroze Tabassum Tuaseen Kalsoom Zaofashan Zaheer Aroma Naeem Ahmed Afifi Laya Ohadi Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentary Health Science Reports COVID‐19 infectious disease malaria public health |
| title | Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentary |
| title_full | Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentary |
| title_fullStr | Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentary |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentary |
| title_short | Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan—A commentary |
| title_sort | reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in pakistan a commentary |
| topic | COVID‐19 infectious disease malaria public health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1620 |
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