Every 60 seconds a child dies from malaria. Children under the age of five are under” a greater risk”:http://www.nothingbutnets.net/new/saving-lives/what-is-malaria.html of attracting Malaria than the general population. The disease is deadly and can infect millions of people just from a mosquito bite. Governments and non-governmental organizations are supporting the effort to prevent this disease from spreading, but it is not enough.
A female, pregnant mosquito is the only mosquito that can give a human the malaria parasite. This parasite, called plasmodium, can seep into the bloodstream and attack the cells in the liver. It can spread through the body for long periods of time if the disease is not treated. The symptoms of malaria can be fatal. People who have been bit with the parasite will have chills, fevers, and aches. Eventually without the proper treatment kidneys will fail and soon death will follow.
Malaria is difficult to treat in that the parasite is constantly changing within the body. Developing a vaccine is challenging, but people are pouring funds into research in hopes that a vaccine can be made available soon. But there is a need now for alternatives to protect those from getting malaria.
One way to combat this deadly disease is through insecticide nets that are placed over the bed of a sleeping child. It is a cost effective and simple way to halt the spread of malaria. The nets cost only ten dollars each – a small sum to protect a life. The primary biting time for mosquitoes is during the evening hours. This means someone who sleeps under the net will be protected for the majority of the biting hours.
Monetary resources are vital to the long-term goal of eradication of malaria and for immediate solutions to the problem. The U.S. federal government funds two programs: The Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria, and the President’s Malaria Initiative. It is crucial for Congress to continue funding to these agencies to halt the spreading of malaria. Such a continuation would allow countries in sub-Saharan Africa to provide nets to those who need them. If the funding is discontinued then malaria could return to its status as the number one killer in Africa.
Isabella Merritt is a freshman in the School of International Service.
