Malaria remains the big killer

MEASURES to prevent the spread of Malaria across sub-Saharan Africa should not be relaxed because of the focus on the coronavirus, a medical expert believes.

“As the world’s attention focuses on Covid-19, our efforts to eradicate malaria must remain a priority because it is in times of health and economic crises that diseases have the potential of resurgence. We simply cannot let our guard down if we are to protect the millions at high risk from malaria – many of whom are farmers – and stop the cycle of hunger and poverty,” said Dr Jacqueline Applegate, president of the vector-borne disease prevention unit at Bayer, a multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company.

Malaria is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito, a mosquito in tropical and subtropical regions.

Malaria is usually as asymptomatic, uncomplicated, or severe, with either no symptoms if asymptomatic; or fever, profuse sweating, and headaches if uncomplicated; or anemia and end-organ damage if severe.

The World Malaria Report of 2019 indicated sub-Saharan Africa accounted for about 93% of malaria cases and 94% of deaths. More than two-thirds were among children younger than five. In 2018, it led to 405 000 deaths worldwide. Nearly half the world’s population remains at risk.

The illness has a mortality rate of about 1 100 people a day, taking the life of a child every two minutes.

According to Applegate, since 2000, the battle against malaria has culminated in a 60% reduction of malaria-related deaths.

“Covid-19 is threatening to disrupt malaria prevention,” she said.

With today marking World Malaria Day, countries especially vulnerable to malaria are encouraged to ensure the continuity of malaria prevention.

“Under the worst-case scenario, in which all insecticide-treated net (ITN) campaigns are suspended and there is a 75% reduction in access to effective antimalarial medicines, the estimated tally of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 would reach 769000, twice the number of deaths in 2018,” WHO said in a statement.

ORGANISATIONS of all types are suffering enormous challenges during the Covid-19 lockdown, and those on the front line of caring for animals are particularly hard hit.

For them, finances are tough even in good times, so it’s even more important that those who care, and who are able to, help them care for vulnerable animals.

Animal welfare has been declared an essential service so, if they have the means, they can still carry out their important work.

Here are some of them, and how you can help.

Pawfect Nation is trying to get food out to feeders in areas not close to supplies, or who cannot afford the food. If no provisions are made now, the animals will be left without food during this period and this is what we must avoid from happening.

If bulk food donations come in now, feeders who have made friends with residents in the townships can arrange to deliver food to those people so they can continue to feed the animals.

Pawfect Nation feeds feral and stray animals that are not in shelters, so they have asked for bags, cans or pouches of cat and dog food. If you can help, please email info@pawfectnation.org.za

Arrangements will be made by feeders who have permits to collect donations and deliver to those who feed the animals.

Durban and Coastal SPCA, and Kloof SPCA have been hard hit because their fundraising events, thrift shops, tea gardens and charity shops have closed. If you clean your home during the shutdown, put aside unwanted goods you can donate when the lockdown is lifted.

Here are the organisations’ bank details for cash donations:

Kloof & Highway SPCA

First National Bank Account Number: 50730485741 Branch code: 221526

Type: Cheque Account

Visit kloofspca.co.za for details. SPCA Durban and Coastal First National Bank

Branch code: 220226 Account Number: 62238932893 Account name: SPCA Durban Visit spcadbn.org.za for details. Animal Anti-Cruelty League Standard Bank

Account number: 051350521 Branch: Durban North

Code: 042826

Website: aacl.co.za/branchesdurban

Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

First National Bank Business Account: 50770230859 Durban Main Branch: 221426 Visit crowkzn.co.za

Cats of Durban

Standard Bank

Account Number: 056 592 523 Branch code: 042526 Website: https://catsofdurban. wixsite.com/catsofdurban/donate