Iran on the path to eliminating local transmission of malaria

The head of the university's health department, who is responsible for combating infectious diseases, stated that malaria has been one of the most feared enemies of human health for many years. He added: "This deadly and debilitating disease has claimed the lives of millions of people throughout history and is considered one of the main concerns of the global health system."

Dr. Fateh identified the under-5 age group and pregnant women as the most sensitive groups to malaria, adding: "Infants and young children continue to experience the highest mortality rate from this disease, with 4 out of every 5 deaths from malaria in the African region occurring in children under 5 years of age."

The head of the university's health department's infectious disease control department explained how the disease is transmitted: "Malaria is mainly transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. After the mosquito's infected saliva enters the body, the malaria parasite enters the bloodstream, and its symptoms may range from asymptomatic to intermittent fever, chills, anemia, and an enlarged spleen."

Referring to the importance of World Malaria Day, he said: "This day is a reminder of the collective efforts of all health activists, especially doctors, paramedics, and healthcare workers, to control and prevent this disease."

Dr. Fateh also stated the World Health Organization's message for World Malaria Day 2025, adding: This year's slogan is "End Malaria: Reinvest, Replan, and Retry" and emphasized: Now is the time to take more effective steps to eliminate this disease, relying on knowledge, existing preventive, laboratory, and therapeutic methods.

He continued: "Ending malaria is not just a health imperative; it is an investment in a more just, safe, and prosperous future for all nations."

Regarding the country's situation regarding this disease, Dr. Fateh said: "Iran is currently in the pre-elimination stage of local malaria, and with the round-the-clock efforts of the health system, especially in the malaria-prone areas of the southeast of the country, and increasing disease detection in border areas, this goal will be achievable."

Finally, referring to the infection statistics, he said: "Some of the cases in the country are related to people returning from neighboring countries, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan. Statistics show that in the past year, especially in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan, the trend of contracting this disease has been increasing."