Latest news with #Plasmodiumvivax
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
46 malaria fatalities since 2020: Officials
Aizawl: In Mizoram, malaria has resulted in 46 fatalities over the past five years since 2020. However, among the 873 cases identified during January - March this year, no deaths were reported, officials of state health department's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) said on Tuesday. Last year's data revealed that out of 3,07,468 blood samples analysed, 16,899 individuals tested positive for malaria, with seven fatalities. The cases comprised 8,950 Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infections and 7,949 Plasmodium vivax (Pv) infections. In 2024, Lawngtlai district in South Mizoram, which shares borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, recorded the highest malaria occurrence with 8,067 cases and five deaths. The district also registered the highest annual parasite incidence (API) at 56.70 cases per 1,000 population and led in test positivity rate (TPR) at 16.60 per 100 tests. Following Lawngtlai are Lunglei and Mamit districts, both adjacent to Bangladesh, reporting 3,775 and 3,299 cases respectively, with one death in Mamit. Lunglei recorded an API of 21.63, while Mamit showed 32.44. Siaha district, bordering Myanmar, ranked fourth with 1,607 cases during the same period. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Best Luxury Hotel Prices Expertinspector Learn More Undo From 2020 to 2024, the total number of malaria cases reached 59,119, with 46 deaths. The highest mortality was recorded in 2023 with 13 deaths, followed by 10 deaths each in 2021 and 2022. The year 2020 saw six fatalities, while seven deaths occurred during the previous year.
News18
25-04-2025
- Health
- News18
World Malaria Day: These Parasites Can Hide Dormant In Your Liver For Months, Say Doctors
Last Updated: 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.
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
‘Malaria becomes increasingly endemic across country'
KARACHI: ChildLife Foundation is sounding the alarm on malaria's growing threat to Pakistan's children, as the disease becomes increasingly endemic across the country. On World Malaria Day, ChildLife Foundation is calling urgent attention to the continued burden of malaria on Pakistan's youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Despite being entirely preventable and treatable, malaria remains one of the leading killers of children under five in Pakistan and globally. In 2023 alone, over 597,000 people died from malaria worldwide—77% were children under the age of five. In Pakistan, the threat is rapidly escalating, with 3.4 million suspected and 2.7 million confirmed cases reported. The presence of both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax strains, particularly in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, makes children more vulnerable to severe outcomes, including coma and death. 'A single mosquito bite should not decide a child's fate,' said Dr. Irfan Habib, Medical Director of ChildLife Foundation. 'This World Malaria Day, we urge all sectors—public, private, and media—to join hands in preventing unnecessary deaths.' ChildLife Foundation operates in 14 Paediatric Emergency Rooms (ERs) and over 300 telemedicine satellite centres in government hospitals, forming a national safety net for critically ill children. In 2024, ChildLife treated more than 15,600 children for malaria, offering immediate, and lifesaving care. ChildLife ERs are equipped for rapid diagnosis and standardized treatment for severe cases and supportive care with fluids, transfusions, monitoring, and prevention counselling for every caregiver at discharge. Children are most at risk of malaria due to a combination of environmental, social, and healthcare challenges. In low-income areas, stagnant water, poor sanitation, and substandard housing create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. Many families lack awareness about early symptoms and simple prevention methods, making timely intervention difficult. Climate change is further worsening the situation—floods and rising temperatures are accelerating mosquito reproduction. In remote districts, delays in accessing emergency care often turn treatable infections into life-threatening emergencies for young children. Early signs include fever with chills, vomiting, lethargy, and body aches. Severe symptoms—such as seizures, unconsciousness, jaundice, or tea-colored urine—warrant an urgent ER visit. At ChildLife's ER, attendants receive essential counselling on malaria prevention to protect their children from future infections. This includes guidance on using insecticide-treated mosquito nets and repellents, dressing children in full-sleeved clothing during the evening hours and removing stagnant water around the home to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. Parents are also advised to use mosquito coils or plug-in repellents to reduce exposure indoors. ChildLife Foundation calls on stakeholders to reinvest in frontline emergency and paediatric care, reimagine public health education and early detection, reignite coordinated action with government, civil society, and media. Every day, children in Pakistan are brought to emergency rooms fighting for their lives against malaria—a disease that is preventable yet continues to claim young lives. This World Malaria Day let's ensure that no child in Pakistan dies from a mosquito bite. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WHO warns that faint lines on rapid tests may cause malaria misdiagnosis
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests are under the spotlight at the World Health Organization (WHO), after reports that devices showed positive faint lines for patients with a confirmed malaria infection. The WHO said that reports came in last year about positive faint lines. These were predominantly observed in patients with low parasitemia, a term used for the small presence of parasites in the blood. However, some patients with higher parasitemia also generated faint test lines – patients in this group would usually produce strong bands on rapid tests. WHO did not immediately respond to Medical Device Network's request for further information on which manufacturers were affected by the WHO medical product alert on 31 March. Abbott, Advy Chemical, and Zephyr Biomedicals, amongst others, have tests that meet the WHO's regulatory standards, as per the agency's product prequalification database. Exact data on the most widely used brand is difficult to ascertain. In a British Medical Journal (BMJ) study of 85,000 participants across various countries in Africa, Abbott's SD Bioline Malaria Ag Pf was the most common rapid diagnostic test brand. False negative tests usually lead to misdiagnosis, and delays in diagnosis and treatment. The faint test lines, which increase the risk of false negative tests, have led to the issues in recent reports to the WHO. 'In circumstances where misdiagnosis occurs, the potential for harm, such as death or serious deterioration in health, is increased,' the WHO said in a statement. Rapid diagnostic tests have become a key framework for malaria diagnosis. They are an accessible alternative to disease diagnosis by microscopy, where laboratory services might not be available. The in vitro diagnostic works by detecting specific antigens produced by malaria parasites in the blood of infected individuals. Depending on the manufacturer, tests can either detect one or multiple species. Their use has led to a sustained increase in testing rates and more accurate tracking of malaria cases. According to the medical product alert, incidents were reported in several countries for various products detecting both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, and products detecting Plasmodium falciparum and pan species. Those who use the tests in national control programmes have been recommended to ensure proper transport and storage, up-to-date training, and visual acuity requirements for users. Testing sites should also be contacted to seek feedback on unusual trends, as well as supporting manufacturers. As per WHO recommendations, any test line – no matter its faintness – should be recorded as a positive test. However, there have been calls from academia to improve the detection of these bands. For example, some evidence suggests that these bands are sometimes too faded to be seen in poor lighting, a problem in low and middle-income territories. There were an estimated 263 million cases of malaria in 2023. The WHO African region carries the highest disease burden, accounting for 94% of cases and 95% of deaths. WHO has been grappling with the loss of funding to key malaria programmes in Africa following the suspension of USAID funding. Efforts to fight other infectious diseases such as mpox and tuberculosis have also been impacted. "WHO warns that faint lines on rapid tests may cause malaria misdiagnosis" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WHO warns that faint lines on rapid tests may cause malaria misdiagnosis
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests are under the spotlight at the World Health Organization (WHO), after reports that devices showed positive faint lines for patients with a confirmed malaria infection. The WHO said that reports came in last year about positive faint lines. These were predominantly observed in patients with low parasitemia, a term used for the small presence of parasites in the blood. However, some patients with higher parasitemia also generated faint test lines – patients in this group would usually produce strong bands on rapid tests. WHO did not immediately respond to Medical Device Network's request for further information on which manufacturers were affected by the WHO medical product alert on 31 March. Abbott, Advy Chemical, and Zephyr Biomedicals, amongst others, have tests that meet the WHO's regulatory standards, as per the agency's product prequalification database. Exact data on the most widely used brand is difficult to ascertain. In a British Medical Journal (BMJ) study of 85,000 participants across various countries in Africa, Abbott's SD Bioline Malaria Ag Pf was the most common rapid diagnostic test brand. False negative tests usually lead to misdiagnosis, and delays in diagnosis and treatment. The faint test lines, which increase the risk of false negative tests, have led to the issues in recent reports to the WHO. 'In circumstances where misdiagnosis occurs, the potential for harm, such as death or serious deterioration in health, is increased,' the WHO said in a statement. Rapid diagnostic tests have become a key framework for malaria diagnosis. They are an accessible alternative to disease diagnosis by microscopy, where laboratory services might not be available. The in vitro diagnostic works by detecting specific antigens produced by malaria parasites in the blood of infected individuals. Depending on the manufacturer, tests can either detect one or multiple species. Their use has led to a sustained increase in testing rates and more accurate tracking of malaria cases. According to the medical product alert, incidents were reported in several countries for various products detecting both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, and products detecting Plasmodium falciparum and pan species. Those who use the tests in national control programmes have been recommended to ensure proper transport and storage, up-to-date training, and visual acuity requirements for users. Testing sites should also be contacted to seek feedback on unusual trends, as well as supporting manufacturers. As per WHO recommendations, any test line – no matter its faintness – should be recorded as a positive test. However, there have been calls from academia to improve the detection of these bands. For example, some evidence suggests that these bands are sometimes too faded to be seen in poor lighting, a problem in low and middle-income territories. There were an estimated 263 million cases of malaria in 2023. The WHO African region carries the highest disease burden, accounting for 94% of cases and 95% of deaths. WHO has been grappling with the loss of funding to key malaria programmes in Africa following the suspension of USAID funding. Efforts to fight other infectious diseases such as mpox and tuberculosis have also been impacted. "WHO warns that faint lines on rapid tests may cause malaria misdiagnosis" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
