Khanh Hoa experienced a 12.8% year-on-year reduction in malaria cases...
Khanh Hoa experienced a 12.8% year-on-year reduction in malaria cases, including 6 complicated cases, and no malaria outbreak was reported in 2013.
About 35 million people are currently living in malaria-risk areas, accounting for 50% of the total area of the nation. Khanh Hoa has sustained effective vector control activities, health interventions and malaria treatment and prevention education, particularly to vulnerable groups.
Malaria surveillance has been maintained in 965 villages in 137 communes in 8 districts and towns in Khanh Hoa Province. 200,331 people in affected area have been detected and reported through national malaria surveillance systems.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease, common in mountainous, midland and some coastal regions in Vietnam. The disease is transmitted by a bite from an infected female Anopheles mosquito, which introduces the organisms from its saliva into a person's circulatory system. In the blood, the parasites travel to the liver to mature and reproduce.
Initial manifestations of the disease are similar to flu-like symptoms, and can resemble other conditions. The classic symptom of malaria is a cyclical occurrence of sudden coldness, shivering, fever and sweating.
A blood test is performed on suspected malaria cases. The blood sample is sent to the laboratory and examined for the presence of the malaria parasite. Giemsa stain is commonly recommended for detection and identification of blood parasites.
According to Le Anh Dung, Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Center of Malariology & Parasitology, malaria is a dangerous disease. In order to significantly reduce the risk of mosquito bites, precautions include using a mosquito net; spraying an insecticide; sleeping in rooms properly screened with gauze over windows and doors; wearing long trousers, long-sleeved clothing and socks; destroying bush around homesteads, etc.
Joint effort is required in the fight of malaria, contributing to community health care protection.
N.T
