Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by plasmodium parasite, that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) latest World malaria report, there were 241 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2020 as compared to 227 million cases in 2019. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 6,27,000 in 2020, an increase of 69,000 deaths over the previous years. African Regions alone accounts 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths (WHO., 2020). As per latest World malaria report, 2020: India continues to make Impressive Gains in reduction of Malaria Burden. Worldwide there are total 11 countries including India that account for 70 % & 71 % of the global estimated case burden and global estimated deaths respectively. But whereas India is the only country reported drop in Malaria cases, as many as 116 districts in ndia reported zero malaria cases in 2020 and the country has been able to achieve remarkable success in reducing the diseas burden in terms of cases by 84.5% and deaths by 83.6%, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan (The Hindu newspaper article 23rd April, 2021). According to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare last 5 years records, highest death recorded in 2016 and most positive cases in 2017, though 2020 recorded fewer cases compared to last 5 years data but mortality still persist (Fig.1). Similarly, Assam state witnessed highest no. of malaria cases in 2016 and least in 2020. Zero mortality reported in 2017 even though cases were quite high above 5k in the state (Fig.2). Karimganj district reported only 4 Mortality in last 5 years with zero death in 2017, 2018 and 2020 & maximum cases reported in 2019 above 1.4 Lakhs (Fig.3).
The severity of malaria is based on causative plasmodium species. There are five malarial parasite species- Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. knowlesi. Out of five species –P. falciparum and P. vivax pose the greatest threat in India and P. falciparum is also termed as deadliest malaria parasite as it influences blood coagulation by sticking RBCs together causing blockage in arteries. In Karimganj P. falciparum accounts for 81% of the malaria cases. Although P. falciparum dominant but from the survey it is revealed that 41% & 32% cases caused by P. vivax .
Life cycle of Plasmodium:Plasmodium is a protozoan parasite its life cycle divided into three stages (Primary exo-erythrocytic, Erythrocytic & Sexual cycle) which involves two hosts (man & female anopheles mosquitoes). i) Exo-erythrocytic cycle- During a blood meal sporozoites are inoculated into human blood stream by infected female Anopheles. Within 30mins of their entry sporozoites take shelter in liver parenchyma cells & matures into schizonts, which furter rupture and releases about 1200 merozoites. ii) Erythrocytic cycle- Merozoites now invade red blood cells (RBC) where they undergo asexual multiplication & develops into ring stage trophozoites by absorbing haemoglobin. Trophozoites further matures into schizonts, which rupture releasing merozoites. iii) Sexual cycle- Some merozoites enter RBC for schizogony & some are diffetentiated into gamonts or gametocytes, where lager female gamonts are designated as macrogametocytes & small male gamonts as microgametocytes. This gametes are then ingested by female Anopheles during a blood meal. Inside mosquito’s stomach, the microgametes fertilizes the macrogametes to produce zygotes. The zygotes are motile & elongated in shape called ookinetes or vermicule, this penetrate through inner lining of stomach & develops into oocysts in subepithelial tissue. The oocysts grow, rupture and liberated cluster of sporozoites in the haemocoel, which further find their way into the mosquito’s salivary glands. When mosquito bite new human for blood meal releases sporozoites into blood stream unknowingly as mosquito inject saliva as anticoagulant before sucking blood. Hence, in new human host sporozoites completes one part of life cycle & other part in female anopheles mosquitoes (Fig.4)