World Malaria Day: These Parasites Can Hide Dormant In Your Liver For Months, Say Doctors
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According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 1.5 crore cases of malaria are reported annually in India, with approximately 20,000 deaths
Every year, malaria wreaks havoc during the rainy season. In many parts of North India, people even lose their lives due to the disease. Malaria is a seasonal and dangerous illness that should not be taken lightly. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 1.5 crore cases of malaria are reported annually in India, with approximately 20,000 deaths. It is a mosquito-borne disease, but it is preventable. On the occasion of World Malaria Day, News18 spoke to doctors to understand what malaria is and how it can be prevented.
Dr Pramila Baitha, Additional Director of the Internal Medicine Department at Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida, explained that malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium. This parasite spreads to humans through the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include high fever, chills, sweating, headache, and fatigue. If left untreated, malaria can become severe. The monsoon season and the period following it are the most sensitive for the spread of the disease, and extra caution is advised during this time.
According to Dr Baitha, in the past year, around 40 malaria patients visited her OPD, over 90 percent of whom were diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria. This type generally causes mild fever, but its parasites can remain dormant in the liver and reactivate months later, leading to a recurrence. This form of malaria can cause repeated infections. On the other hand, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) is a more severe form that can affect the brain, kidneys, and other organs. If not treated in time, it can prove fatal.
Dr Sukhpreet Singh, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine at Mash Pro-Life Hospital, Ludhiana, said that over the past 6 to 12 months, six cases of malaria were reported at his hospital—five of P. vivax and one of P. falciparum. Fewer than 5 percent of fever patients are suspected of having malaria, and confirmed cases are around 1 percent. P. vivax is the most common type in North India, but it is often overlooked due to its mild symptoms. However, if not tested and treated on time, it can also become serious.
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