Abigail Lucas
10/7/09
1:32
Malaria is one of biggest “child killers” in Africa. In a remote village of southern Sudan the WHO is passing out mosquito nets for free, they are also sharing information on how to use the nets and which family members are have the biggest risk of contracting malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted when they are female mosquitoes between dusk and dawn when the mosquitoes feed on human blood and inject saliva containing malaria parasite. In Africa children under the age of five die from this disease at a rate of about 3,000 a day. In 2006 over half of the children under the age of five suffered from fever, thought to be malaria. Because children have yet to develop enough immunity to fight the infection is they do not receive effective treatment within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms it can progress quickly damaging their kidneys, liver, lungs, and brain. The WHO wants everyone at risk of malaria in Africa to sleep under a net by the end of 2010 they hope that his will cut the deaths in half.
I never would have thought about a net being able to possibly save someone’s life. But sadly while some countries such as Zambia are moving to have nets across the country for everyone there are other countries in Southern Sudan and Uganda which are most effected where there are just not enough nets for everyone.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/6255763/Malaria-in-Africa-The-net-gains-of-keeping-mosquitoes-at-bay.html#
1 comment:
Malaria is listed with TB and HIV/AIDS as the communicable diseases we must begin to deal with, or else. I think this is a good idea to try and help the issue. Anything is possible and we won't know if this is a prevention unless the nets are tried. Hopefully, this will help with the spreading of the disease.
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