Malaria in Haiti

Mitch Zembower and Zakh Williams

Plasmodium falciparum
● The parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes

malaria.

● Transmitted by the bite of infected

mosquitoes.

● Typical symptoms include chills, fever,

sweating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,

headache, and pain in the abdominal region .

Incidence of Malaria

● In 2019, malaria caused 229 million clinical episodes and

409,000 deaths worldwide.

● The incidence of malaria in Haiti is every 1,278 per

100,000 person annually.

 Treatment/Prevention of Malaria
● Malaria can be diagnosed through a blood smear and is stained with

Giemsa stain to identify the parasite and RDT to detect malaria

antigens.

● The most common treatment of malaria is the use of chloroquine

phosphate and Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).

● There is no current vaccine for malaria, but taking prescription

drugs, Malarone, and preventing mosquito bites is the best way to

prevent malaria.
Prognosis of Malaria

● If treated properly with antimalarial drugs, prognosis can be excellent.

● If there is medical treatment, malaria can cause death.

● 10% - 40% of severe cases, even with medical treatment, can cause death.

● More likely to cause severe cases in pregnant women, young children, and

travelers that are exposed to malaria for the first time.

Why Haiti?

● The citizens of Haiti have been living below the poverty line for years

● Hospitals and Urgent care places are either not available to all citizens or

extremely expensive

● In 2017 8,828 cases of malaria were reported in Haiti

● In 2017 2,161 cases of malaria were reported in the United States

Catholic Social Teaching Principle

● Catholic Social Teaching tells us to put the needs of the vulnerable and poor first

● Catholic Social Teaching also tells us to show respect God's creation

● Catholic Social Teaching also tells us to express solidarity