Current Status and Challenges of Malaria in Zambia

Abstract

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which infects a person carrying the parasite through mosquito bites or blood transfusions. It is the world's leading parasitic disease. There are four species of Plasmodium in the human body, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. More than 100 countries and regions are reported to be affected by malaria to varying degrees. Malaria has a high incidence in Zambia, which seriously endangers people's life and health, and increases the social and economic burden of the affected communities to a certain extent. In addition, the number of malaria deaths remains high, the number of malaria cases has even risen, and the eradication of malaria has stagnated. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis is of great significance to effectively prevent malaria, control its spread, and give patients early treatment. This article describes the current progress and challenges of malaria elimination in Zambia, and Outlines current malaria elimination strategies and key interventions.