Malaria — Association d'aide médicale humanitaire — Médecins Sans Frontières Luxembourg

Malaria is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Its severe form, almost always caused by Plasmodium falciparum, affects organs and is fatal if left untreated. Each year, malaria kills about 600,000 people. 80% of deaths are in children under five.

The disease is relatively easy to treat, but access to the most effective treatments remains inadequate. More than 95% of malaria deaths occur on the African continent. Treated bed nets are expensive and out of reach for many. The parasite that causes malaria is starting to show resistance in parts of Asia to the most effective drug we have. And with no new drugs in development, we will likely be left without effective options in the future.

Symptoms

Le paludisme commence par un syndrome grippal 9 à 14 jours après l'infection. Les symptômes comprennent de la fièvre (des cycles de fièvre, frissons et sudations peuvent se développer), des douleurs articulaires, des maux de tête, des vomissements et des convulsions. Un coma peut s'ensuivre. Si le paludisme simple n'est pas traité, il peut s'aggraver : chaque année, environ huit millions de cas de paludisme progressif vers un paludisme grave.

Treatments

MSF field research has helped prove that artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is currently the most effective treatment for malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. In 2010, World Health Organization guidelines were updated to recommend the use of artesunate over artemether injections for the treatment of severe malaria in children.

Long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets are one important means of controlling malaria. In endemic areas, MSF distributes nets to pregnant women and children under the age of five, who are most vulnerable and have the highest frequency of severe malaria. Staff advise people on how to use the nets.

In 2012, MSF piloted a seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) strategy in Chad, Mali and Niger. Now used in several countries, children under five take oral antimalarial treatment monthly over a period of three to four months during the peak malaria season.