Rare Genus Of Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium Ovale, Detected In Kerala For The First Time

The Kerala government has said that a new, rare genus of malaria called 'plasmodium oval' has been detected in the state for the first time in India.

According to Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja, the parasite was detected on a soldier from the state who had recently returned from Sudan, where he was part of a UN service. He was being treated at the district hospital in Kannur.

KK Shailaja Teacher

"Plasmodium oval, a new genus of malaria, has been detected in the State. It was found in a soldier who was being treated at the District hospital in Kannur. The soldier had come from Sudan," Shailaja said.

The spread of the disease can be avoided with timely treatment and preventive measures, she added.

A parasite called Protozoa is responsible for Malaria, which is spread through mosquitos. Plasmodium Ovale is primarily found in Sub-Saharan Africa and has rarely been reported outside.

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Earlier this month, the WHO's World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020, which provides estimated cases for malaria across the world based on mathematical projections, indicates that India has made considerable progress in reducing its malaria burden.

2019 saw malaria cases worldwide cross 229 millio

The World Malaria Report 2020, said that in 2019, malaria cases globally numbered about 229 million, an annual estimate that has remained virtually unchanged over the last four years.

Last year, the disease claimed about 409,000 lives, compared to 411,000 in 2018.

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"Countries in South-East Asia made particularly strong progress, with reductions in cases and deaths of 73 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively. India contributed to the largest drop in cases region-wide ¨C from approximately 20 million to about 6 million,¡± WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the report's forward.

The report said that the WHO South-East Asia Region accounted for about 3 per cent of the burden of malaria cases globally.

Malaria cases reduced by 73 per cent in the region, from 23 million in 2000 to about 6.3 million in 2019.

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The WHO noted the ¡°impressive gains¡± made by India in the fight against malaria, with reductions in cases and deaths of 18 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, over the last two years.

India saw dip in deaths due to malaria

India also recorded a decrease in the number of deaths from malaria between 2000 and 2019.

Malaria deaths in India declined from about 29,500 in 2000 to about 7,700 last year, the report said.

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In the WHO South-East Asia Region, malaria deaths reduced by 74 per cent, from about 35,000 in 2000 to 9,000 in 2019.

India, however, still accounted for 88 per cent of malaria cases and 86 per cent of malaria deaths in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2019.