The World Health Organization has recorded 282 million cases of malaria and 610 000 malaria deaths in 80 countries. The global health issue is only expanding its patient caseload and leading to health complications.

According to the World Malaria Report 2024, 246,696 cases of malaria were recorded, which speaks to the urgency needed to prevent it. Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is spread by parasites near the mosquito bite site. It can be prevented by vaccination, but if it infects the host body, it can even cause death.

Currently, India doesn't have vaccines for malaria in its Universal Immunisation Programme as per the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC). Instead, malaria control in India is currently based on controlling the breeding of mosquitoes, surveillance, early diagnosis, and complete treatment.

Malaria has a significant global impact, especially in tropical regions, as the mosquitoes breed in favourable climate conditions. This is why prevention is critical and needs to be done in a manner that prevents deaths.Understanding Malaria And Its Prevention Strategies

NDTV spoke to Dr Neha Rastogi, Senior Consultant, Infectious Disease, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, explains, "Vaccination plays an increasingly crucial role in the prevention and control by limiting transmission of malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes."

Source:Ndtv