Malaria is one of the life-threatening infectious diseases whose impacts are experienced in the U.S. healthcare system. Its prevalence reached the highest level in 2011 since 1971. However, most U.S. residents acquired the disease from tropical countries where it is endemic (Rettner, 2013).
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasite, and its transmission occurs through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The parasite undergoes two successive asexual replication stages in the human body and infects red blood cells where it produces toxins (Critchlow, Staves, & Watt, 2007).
Characteristics of malaria include headache, fever and vomiting. However, it is worth noting that these characteristics occur within the duration of 10 to 15 days after the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito (WHO, 2013).
Currently, the burden of malaria on the U.S. healthcare systems is relatively high owing to the 2011 disease outcomes. Despite the low mortality rate reported in the U.S., the country has been spending large sums of money in funding government health initiatives.
One of the most reliable prevention techniques is the use of Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs). Active case detection is the second prevention technique for malaria survey, and it is believed to have enhanced prevention and control approaches (Baquilod et al., 2013).
On the other hand, individuals are required to enhance prevention through the use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying to control malaria vector.
Conclusively, the prevention and control of malaria is significant because mortality and co-morbidity caused by malaria among the global population will decrease significantly leading to the establishment of healthy populations (Riegelman, 2010). In the long run, malaria will be eliminated, and this will be a remarkable success of the global health goals.
References
Baquilod, M., Bobogare, A., Cotter, C., Galappaththy, G., Gao, Q., Gosling, R.,… Vestergaard, L. (2013). Active case detection for malaria elimination: A survey among Asia Pacific countries. Malaria Journal, 12(358), 1475 – 2875. Web.
Critchlow, A., Staves, J., & Watt, C. (2007). Malaria vaccines. Web.
Rettner, R. (2013). U.S. malaria cases reach 40-year high. Web.
Riegelman, R. (2010). Public health 101: Healthy people – healthy populations. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
WHO. (2013). Malaria. Web.