Malaria Epidemiology: Specific Vulnerable Group in the Population

Abstract

Malaria is a potentially fatal vector borne disease caused by the blood protozoan, Plasmodium spp. The number of species of Plasmodium spp continues to grow; even nowadays there is zoonosis based species that infect human. Morbidity and mortality still difficult to control, with sub Sahara Africa and south East Asia still the epicentrum of persistent transmission. Human behavior is one of the predisposing factors and actually there is a specific vulnerable group in the Population. It consists of pregnant women, children (especially under five years old) and travellers. They are at risk and very vulnerable with separated specific reason. There is no single action can be successfully applicable for them, because preventive approach must be conducted based on each group specific characteristics. In order to prevent the spread of transmission, active surveillance is one of the tools used. Preventive action conducted tailor made based on each specific group with adjustment when applicable in different region. Lesson learned from the effort to tackle malaria so far and to try to adjust it into specific vulnerable population and future direction being made in order to eliminate malaria and to create world free malaria.