What is malaria?

Malaria is a disease caused by protozoan parasites called Plasmodium. It is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria may also be transmitted through the following:

• Transfusing blood that is positive for malaria parasites
• Sharing of IV needles (especially among IV drug users)
• Transplacenta (transfer of malaria parasites form an infected mother to her unborn child)

What are the common signs and symptoms of malaria?

• Chills
• Fever
• Too much sweating when fever subsides
• Headache

What are the common species of malaria parasites in the Philippines?

There are 4 species of malaria parasites.  These are: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale.  Of these, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the common species of malaria parasites in the Philippines where 70% of malaria cases are P. falciparum while 30% are P. vivax cases.  There are also P. malariae cases and contributes to about < 1% of the total malaria cases.  P. falciparum malaria, if not treated immediately, can lead to severe malaria, such as cerebral malaria.  On the other hand, P. vivax malaria does not lead to cerebral malaria but it causes relapse if treatment was not completed.

Do all mosquitoes carry the malaria parasite?

No, not all mosquitoes carry the malaria parasite.  In the country, it is the adult female Anopheles mosquito that can become infective and therefore carries the malaria parasite after she bites a person infected with malaria.  The malaria parasite undergoes several developmental stages inside the adult female mosquito until such time that the mosquito becomes infective with malaria parasites.  This anopheles mosquito bites from dusk to dawn and it breeds in clear, slow flowing streams that are found in mountainous/forested areas or in brackish water where salt and fresh water meet.  This is usually found in coastal areas.

Who are at risk in getting malaria?

• Children
• Pregnant women
• Indigenous peoples
• Forest workers, miners, soldiers
• Persons who are not from a malarious area but travel to this area

How can a person become infected with malaria?

A person can become infected with malaria if he/she was bitten by an infective Anopheles mosquito.

Can a person get malaria form drinking water with mosquito eggs in the streams?

No. The malaria parasite has to undergo development inside the adult female mosquito; therefore one cannot get malaria form drinking water that has mosquito eggs in it.

Is malaria present throughout the country?

In the country, certain municipalities of the 63 provinces are endemic for malaria.

Do the people living in these endemic areas continue to get sick of malaria?

Persons who are living in malaria endemic areas may develop partial immunity to the disease.  However, they may not manifest symptoms of malaria but when their blood smear is examined under the microscope, one can see malaria parasites in his/her blood smear.

What is the treatment for malaria?

Malaria is treated by taking the appropriate anti-malarial medicines against the particular malaria species found in the blood smear of the patient.  A blood smear has to be done to find out what particular species is present in the patient’s blood.  It is also advised to complete the dosage of the anti-malarial medicine prescribed to him/her. 

Is there a vaccine against malaria?

At present, there is no vaccine against malaria.  However, malaria vaccine development is still on-going.

What are the preventive measures against malaria?

For those living in a malarious area

o Sleep inside an insecticide-treated mosquito net every night.

o Screen windows and doors (if a family can afford to do so) or in the sleeping area.

o Wear long sleeves and long pants during night time activities.

o Use insect repellant during night time activities.

o Consult immediately to the nearest health facility when experiencing symptoms of malaria and complete the medications as instructed. Do not self-medicate.

For persons going to a malaria endemic area

o Consult the Provincial Health Office or Rural Health Unit of the province/area for medical advice.

o Chemoprophylaxis is given as follows:

§ Doxycycline 100 mg daily for 2 – 3 days before going to an endemic area, continue while in the endemic area and continue for 4 more weeks after leaving the endemic area.

§ NOTE: Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnant women and children 8 years old and below.

§ NOTE: Taking chemoprophylaxis is not 100% assurance that one will not get sick of malaria Be extra cautious while staying in an endemic area and employ other personal protective measures.

o Preferably, windows and doors of sleeping quarters are screened. If not, sleep inside an insecticide-treated mosquito net or inside a conventional mosquito net every night.

o Wear long sleeves and long pants during night time activities.

o Use insect repellant during night time activities.

o In case you develop symptoms of malaria while in the area or after coming form an endemic area, consult a physician and inform him/her that you went to a malaria endemic area and has stayed there for several days (history of travel to an endemic area) so that a blood smear will be taken.