World Malaria Day: Avoid these malaria risk factors...

Malaria is a disease that has afflicted people for centuries and is still a major hazard to public health worldwide. india is primarily responsible for this menace, as despite considerable efforts, effective prevention and treatment remain elusive, thereby continuing the cycle of transmission. We need to confront these obstacles in their entirety and modify our strategies in light of the disease's changing dynamics if we are to effectively fight malaria.

Dr. Susanta Kumar Ghosh, the Scientific Advisor at Eco BioTraps and a former employee of the ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research in Bangalore, stated in an interview with HT lifestyle that one of the main obstacles to eradicating malaria is the lack of knowledge about the disease's causes and practical preventative measures in the majority of malaria-endemic areas. Misconceptions that impede proactive actions and contribute to fatalistic attitudes include the idea that malaria cannot be prevented or treated. Furthermore, depending too much on conventional treatments exacerbates the problem and frequently causes delays in receiving the necessary medical attention.

Furthermore, he said, "it is imperative to quantify the incidence of malaria and its transmission patterns, especially in low-transmission areas where the disease may go undetected. residual transmission from low-parasitaemia cases in endemic situations as well. Incorporating molecular diagnostics and serological markers of recent infection into future research can help determine the true scope of the issue and direct focused responses.

According to a 2024 study published in the Clinical Epidemiology and worldwide Health journal, india bears a startling 79% of the worldwide malaria burden in the southeast area and confronts particular obstacles in its efforts to eradicate the disease. According to Dr Susanta Kumar Ghosh, "the dynamics of malaria transmission are influenced by a number of factors, including socioeconomic disparities, environmental changes, and meteorological conditions." The issue is made worse by unexpected development projects, rapid urbanization, and deforestation. Control efforts are made more difficult by ineffective disease surveillance systems and inconsistent seasonal transmission patterns, particularly in light of changes in case numbers brought on by climate change.

"One promising approach is the use of biological control methods, such as the use of ovitraps, which specifically target mosquito breeding," recommended Dr. Susanta Kumar Ghosh. In addition to being a sustainable and eco-friendly substitute for chemical pesticides, these techniques can lessen the selective pressure that leads to insecticide resistance. Moreover, community-based environmental management to eradicate breeding places or better building design to minimize mosquito entry might boost the efficacy of malaria prevention initiatives. In order to create effective control methods, it is necessary to comprehend the elements that raise the risk of malaria. We can come a long way toward eliminating malaria by tackling obstacles to treatment and prevention, improving surveillance, and involving communities. We can achieve the aim of a world free from malaria with coordinated efforts and creative solutions.