Malaria in Nigeria: What Every Family Should Know

September 29, 2025 - By EMMANUEL CHINATUKA

Introduction

It’s 2 AM and your child is burning with fever. You’ve seen this before – the chills, the sweating, the restlessness. Like millions of Nigerian families, you’re facing malaria again. But this time, you want answers. How can you protect your family? What really works? And why does malaria keep coming back?

Nigeria carries one of the heaviest malaria burdens in the world, accounting for about 27% of global malaria cases. Every year, malaria affects millions of Nigerians and claims thousands of lives – most of them children under five. But here’s the good news: malaria is preventable, treatable, and you have more power than you think.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to protect your family from malaria, recognize the warning signs, and take action when it matters most.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a serious disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites you, the parasites enter your bloodstream, travel to your liver, and then attack your red blood cells.

Why Malaria Thrives in Nigeria

Several factors make Nigeria a hotspot for malaria:

Climate: Our warm, humid weather is perfect for mosquito breeding
Rainy season: Creates countless breeding sites (puddles, drains, containers)
Population density: More people means more opportunities for transmission
Housing conditions: Open windows, poor screening, water storage near homes
Limited access to prevention tools: Not everyone can afford or access protective measures

Recognizing Malaria Symptoms

Common symptoms usually appear 10-15 days after a mosquito bite:

High fever (often coming in cycles)
Severe chills and sweating
Headache
Body aches and fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea

In children, watch for:

Extreme tiredness or difficulty waking
Difficulty breathing
Convulsions (seizures)
Severe paleness (check inside lower eyelid, palms, or tongue)

Emergency Warning Signs – Go to Hospital Immediately:

Confusion or drowsiness
Repeated vomiting
Inability to drink or eat
Convulsions
Difficulty breathing
Dark or bloody urine
Yellow eyes (jaundice)
Extreme weakness

Don’t wait. Severe malaria can kill within 24 hours if untreated.

Prevention: Your Best Defense

1. Sleep Under Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs)

This is the #1 most effective way to prevent malaria.

What you need to know:

Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) remain effective for 3-5 years
One net can cover two people
Tuck the net under your mattress to seal all edges
Repair any holes immediately
Pregnant women and children under 5 should be prioritized

Where to get them:

Free distribution at health centers during campaigns
PHCs (Primary Health Centers)
Available for purchase at pharmacies (₦2,000 – ₦5,000)

Common mistake: Sleeping under torn or untucked nets – mosquitoes will find their way in!

2. Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Walk around your home and:

✓ Empty all containers holding water (old tires, buckets, flower pots) ✓ Cover water storage drums tightly ✓ Clear blocked gutters and drains ✓ Dispose of empty cans, bottles, and coconut shells ✓ Change water in flower vases every 2 days ✓ Fill or drain puddles around your compound

Do this weekly – mosquitoes can breed in just 7 days!

3. Use Mosquito Repellents

Coils and insecticides: Use in well-ventilated rooms
Repellent creams/sprays: Apply to exposed skin in the evening
Window and door screens: Install if possible
Fans: Mosquitoes are weak fliers – a strong fan can help

4. Wear Protective Clothing

During peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn):

Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers
Light-colored clothing (mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors)
Closed shoes

5. Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)

Some communities benefit from government-sponsored indoor spraying programs. If available in your area, participate – it’s free and effective.

Prevention for Pregnant Women

Malaria during pregnancy is extremely dangerous – it can cause:

Severe anemia in the mother
Miscarriage
Premature delivery
Low birth weight
Death of mother or baby

Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp)

All pregnant women should:

Take Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) tablets during antenatal care visits
First dose after 13 weeks (quickening)
At least 3 doses during pregnancy, each at least one month apart
Sleep under ITNs every night

This is FREE at all government health facilities. Don’t skip your antenatal appointments.

Treatment: What Works (and What Doesn’t)

Correct Treatment: Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT)

The ONLY recommended treatment for uncomplicated malaria in Nigeria is ACT, which includes:

Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem) – most common
Artesunate-Amodiaquine (ASAQ)
Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DP)

Important rules:

Take the COMPLETE course (usually 3 days, twice daily)
Take with food or milk for better absorption
Don’t stop when you feel better – finish all tablets
If you vomit within 30 minutes, take another dose

What DOESN’T Work (Stop Wasting Your Money):

Chloroquine – malaria parasites in Nigeria are resistant
Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) alone – only for prevention in pregnancy, not treatment
Herbal concoctions without proven efficacy
“Malaria mixture” from roadside vendors
Antibiotics alone – they don’t kill malaria parasites

Typhoid vs Malaria: Not the Same Thing!

Many Nigerians assume every fever is “malaria and typhoid.” This is wrong and leads to wrong treatment.

Key differences:

Malaria: High fever with chills, comes and goes, responds to ACT
Typhoid: Sustained fever that gradually increases, headache, constipation or diarrhea

Get tested before treatment. A simple malaria RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) costs ₦500-₦1,000 and gives results in 15 minutes.

Common Malaria Myths – Debunked

Myth 1: “I have malaria immunity because I’m Nigerian”

Truth: Repeated exposure may reduce severity, but you can still get sick. Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems remain highly vulnerable.

Myth 2: “Bitter kola and lime prevent malaria”

Truth: No scientific evidence. While they won’t harm you, don’t rely on them for prevention. Use proven methods like ITNs.

Myth 3: “I should take malaria drugs every month to prevent it”

Truth: Wrong! This promotes drug resistance. Prevention is about mosquito control and ITNs, not monthly medications (except for pregnant women under medical supervision).

Myth 4: “Keeping doors and windows closed is enough”

Truth: Mosquitoes can enter through tiny gaps. Use nets, screens, and eliminate breeding sites.

Myth 5: “Malaria drugs are bad for your kidneys”

Truth: When used correctly, ACTs are safe and effective. Untreated malaria causes far more damage than the medication.

What You Can Do Today

Immediate Actions (This Week):

Buy or get free insecticide-treated nets for every sleeping space
Walk around your compound and eliminate all stagnant water
If you have symptoms, get tested at the nearest health center (don’t just assume)
Check your medicine cabinet – throw away expired or counterfeit drugs
If pregnant, confirm you’re enrolled in IPTp at your antenatal clinic

Long-term Commitments:

Make ITN use a family rule, especially for children
Weekly environmental sanitation to remove breeding sites
Educate your neighbors – malaria control works best when the whole community participates
Keep emergency contacts for your nearest health facility

Where to Get Help

Free or Subsidized Services:

Primary Health Centers (PHCs): Malaria testing, treatment, and ITNs
General Hospitals: Available in all LGAs
National Malaria Control Programme: Free ITN distribution campaigns

Emergency Numbers:

NCDC Emergency Number: 6232 (toll-free from all networks)
State Ministry of Health hotlines (check your state’s number)

Cost Guidance:

Malaria RDT: ₦500 – ₦1,000
ACT treatment: ₦500 – ₦2,500 (free at government facilities)
ITN: Free at campaigns, or ₦2,000 – ₦5,000 in pharmacies

Final Thoughts

Malaria has been called Nigeria’s “everyday emergency,” but it doesn’t have to be. Every mosquito bite prevented is a potential life saved. Every net used is a child protected. Every breeding site eliminated is a family safer.

You now know more about malaria than most Nigerians. Use this knowledge. Share it with your family, your neighbors, your community. Together, we can reduce the burden of malaria in Nigeria – one net, one home, one family at a time.

Your health is your wealth. Protect it.

References

World Health Organization – World Malaria Report 2024
Nigeria National Malaria Elimination Programme Guidelines
Federal Ministry of Health – Malaria Treatment Guidelines

Medical Review: This article has been reviewed by Dr. [Name], General Practitioner with 15 years experience in Nigerian healthcare.

Have questions about malaria? Ask our health professionals or share your experience in the comments below.

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