Almost every Ghanaian has had malaria or knows someone who has. It is so common that many people treat it lightly. Yet malaria can be serious, especially for young children and pregnant women, and much of it can be prevented.
Nets, screens and repellents
Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which often bite in the evening and at night. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Empty containers, clear gutters, cover water storage tanks and dispose of old tyres and cans that collect rainwater. Sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net is one of the most effective protections. Check nets for holes and tuck them under the mattress.
Window and door screens keep mosquitoes out. Insect repellents on exposed skin help in the evening, especially outdoors. Long sleeves and trousers in the evening reduce bites, particularly during outdoor events.
Testing and treatment
Many fevers are not malaria. Get tested at a health facility or pharmacy with rapid diagnostic tests before taking antimalarial medicines. If malaria is confirmed, take the recommended treatment exactly as prescribed and finish the full course. Young children are at higher risk of severe malaria. Seek medical care quickly if a child has fever, vomiting, convulsions or unusual sleepiness.
Malaria in pregnancy can harm mother and baby. Pregnant women should attend antenatal care, where preventive treatment and nets are often provided. Visitors from abroad, including Ghanaians who have lived outside the country for years, may have lost immunity. They should consult a doctor about preventive medicine before travelling.
Vaccines and symptoms
Malaria vaccines have been introduced in parts of Ghana for young children in recent years. Ask health workers about eligibility. Clearing gutters, removing rubbish and filling potholes where water collects can reduce mosquito breeding across a whole neighbourhood. Community clean-up days make a difference beyond individual homes. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, body aches and tiredness. Symptoms can appear days or weeks after a bite, so mention recent travel or exposure to health workers.
Emptying a bucket, closing a screen door and sleeping under a net seem minor. Together, they are among the most effective ways to keep malaria out of the home.