On the occasion of the 2023 World Malaria Day, it is important to remember that there were 247 million cases of malaria globally in 2021, with 650,000 annual malaria-related deaths, mainly among African children under 5. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), there were over 1.7 million clinical malaria cases annually, making malaria a major cause of hospital admissions and deaths in the country. In fact, malaria is responsible for around 600 deaths in PNG every year.
To stop malaria in its tracks, it is important to invest, innovate and implement key strategies. Awareness of the risk of malaria is important, as is bite prevention. Insecticide-treated bed nets, removing mosquito breeding sites, wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent and staying indoors at night are all effective ways of preventing mosquito bites. Chemoprophylaxis is also important for non-immune expatriates coming to PNG. Early detection and prompt treatment are also crucial for stopping the spread of malaria.
In PNG, there are two common Plasmodium species that cause malaria: P. vivax and P.falciparum. Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headaches, vomiting, and body and joint pains. Severe symptoms can include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any symptoms of malaria, it is important to visit our clinic at Skyview Medical Centre for early detection and prompt treatment.