Nigeria has been touted as having the highest rate of malaria death in Africa with a lot left to be desired in terms of environmental management. The country has open refuse sites, blocked drainage systems, and – because people lack piped water – they store water at home in containers. These all provide ideal sites for mosquitoes to breed.
The existence of malaria anywhere is an interaction between the environment and the organism responsible for the disease, the mosquito. When you look at an environment, you’re looking at various natural factors – such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall – and man-made factors, such as drainage systems. This is because certain conditions allow mosquitoes to thrive – specifically in moisture-rich environments. Nigeria’s environment is a favorable one in which mosquitoes – the malaria vector – can thrive.
In terms of humidity, Nigeria has vegetation that favors the reproductive stages of the parasite in the mosquito. Altitude also matters. In most of Nigeria, the altitude allows the mosquito to fly around without much difficulty. Only the Mambilla Plateau is considered relatively malaria-free in Nigeria. It has an altitude that is above 5000 feet which makes it difficult for mosquitoes to inhabit.
In addition to this, Nigeria has a large population which makes malaria transmission much easier. Large populations mean more people tend to live closer together, which makes it easier for the mosquito vector to quickly find a contact for transmission of the malaria parasite. In addition, a large population puts more pressure on sanitation services, leading to more mosquito breeding sites.
That’s not to say no progress has been made. The country’s interventions have not been a failure altogether. The Nigerian government and its partners have singled out children as the focus of most interventions. In addition, we need health system strengthening to address the gaps in access, particularly in communities.
The Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration And Control recently approved the R21 malaria vaccine for use.
Hopefully, when the R21 vaccine becomes available it will reduce new cases or the impact of cases. It is unclear when the vaccine may be rolled out in Nigeria.
A recent study shows that the R21 vaccine has some efficacy. This vaccine have been shown most effective when administered to children from five months to 36 months old. It is 77% effective in preventing infection and reduces the occurrence of severe malaria. Reducing the frequency of severe malaria reduces the burden of malaria mortality by extension.
The vaccines won’t be used on their own. They will be used as adjuncts to existing tools for fighting malaria such as preventative treatment and the distribution of bed nets.
