The World Health Organization, WHO has warned Africa of a massive number of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan areas. The organization says that the number can go beyond 769,000 deaths amid the global pandemic. This is because the countries are tackling coronavirus pandemic, and fewer efforts are put in place to prevent the malaria outbreak.
The sub-Saharan as of Thursday recorded over 26, 000 cases of coronavirus. However, 7,000 have recovered, and 1250 have died due to this highly respiratory infectious disease.
WHO Statement on the malaria deaths in the regions
At a media conference, The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa. Matshidiso Moeti advised all countries to ensure that necessary malaria prevention measures continue. And the countries in the regions to keep standard measures to control the disease amid this coronavirus pandemic fully.
“A recent analysis has found that if insecticide-treated bed net distribution stops. And case management reduces, malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa could double in comparison to 2018.”
Moeti said on Thursday.
This would be the highest number of malaria deaths seen in the region since the year 2000.
Malaria is a hazardous mosquito-borne disease that causes fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. It is preventable if it is caught early. However, the current antimalarial drugs are continuing to fail. As in many areas the disease continually develops resistance to the drugs.
The Malaria incidences in Africa and the World
In the past malaria outbreak (2018). There were 213 million cases of malaria disease which resulted in 360,000 deaths in the Africa region. The significant number accounted for over 90 percent of the total cases of malaria deaths worldwide.
The WHO agency said if the African countries focus too much on slowing the spread of the new global pandemic. And limits access to anti-malaria medicines, the malaria deaths could double to 769,000 from the records. Such a situation would have overwhelming consequences for the younger generation. The children with those below the age of five years recording over two-thirds of the 2018 malaria deaths.
The health agency has urged countries in sub-Saharan Africa–where the vast cases and deaths occur to create awareness. And provide prevention and treatment in their health centers now before the coronavirus cases become uncontrollable.
“Countries across the region have a critical window of opportunity to minimize disruptions in malaria prevention. And treatment and save lives at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.”
the WHO said in a statement.
Malaria cases and the New Covid-19 pandemic
The doubling number of malaria deaths shows the worst scenario. The figure assumes the suspension of all distribution of treated mosquito nets due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The last case incident of the Ebola outbreak in Africa recording more deaths of many people dying of another disease. And not Ebola, due to lack of access to quick prevention measures and treatment.
The WHO general director warns African countries not to repeat that with the coronavirus pandemic. And calls for constant immunization services to ensure excellent moves to prevent the malaria epidemic worldwide. And highly aim to at it from sparking a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and polio.
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