DDT Isn't Cool With Me

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Malaria is a disease characterized by fever and flu like illness that according to the CDC “if not treated can lead to jaundice, kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death” (CDC p.2. There are four types of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae with the most common type being plasmodium falciparum. (CDC p.1) ).. This disease can only be transmitted by an interaction of blood as the parasite lives in the red blood cells of the infected host individual. This can be due to blood transfusions, sharing of syringes or by its common vector, the Anopheles mosquito.Because of its vector being a mosquito malaria is common in areas with warm temperatures and causes the most damage in poor developing nations. The regions that experience the most cases of malaria include: Sub- Saharan Africa, Asia, South America and low altitudes in Central America (MFI p.1). The regions where there aren’t large amounts of malaria cases are in part because of climate and partly because of the more developed nations implementing aggressive malaria eradication plans including the use of mosquito nets and pesticides. These eradication plans cornerstone is through its aggressive attempt to rid the area of the anopheles mosquito, thus virtually eliminating the spread of malaria and cases seen.
The parasites that cause malaria rely on a human host in order to reproduce and thrive. The vector, mosquitos in this case, are simply the means by which the parasite finds its next human host to thrive again. As seen by the eradication of malaria in some areas the life cycle of malaria parasites is greatly dependent on the life cycle of the anopheles mosquito.Mosquitos need water to reproduce as the egg, larval and pupae st...

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