Chain of spreading of malaria is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Explanation

Malaria transmission requires two hosts to complete its life cycle: a human and an arthropod vector.
The vector for malaria is the female Anopheles mosquito, which is an arthropod.
The cycle begins when a mosquito bites an infected human, acquiring the parasite.
The parasite develops within the mosquito.
The infected mosquito then bites a healthy human, transmitting the parasite.
This sequence correctly establishes the chain as Man-arthropod-man.

Option B: This transmission chain does not describe malaria. Birds are not involved in the primary life cycle of human malaria.
Option C: This chain describes a cycle involving pigs, which are not part of the malaria transmission cycle.
Option D: While this chain involves an arthropod, it incorrectly identifies birds as the initial host or reservoir for human malaria.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Malaria transmission cycle as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the Man-arthropod-man transmission cycle is fundamental to malaria prevention and control strategies, which focus on breaking this chain.
Nursing interventions are centered on vector control (e.g., promoting the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, advising on mosquito repellents) and prompt diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals to reduce the human reservoir of the parasite.
What if? If malaria was transmitted directly from person to person (like influenza), public health measures would shift from vector control to patient isolation, quarantine, and respiratory hygiene, completely changing the approach to prevention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the transmission pathway of a specific disease: malaria.
Recall the basic epidemiology of malaria. It is a classic example of a vector-borne disease.
Identify the key players in the transmission cycle: the causative agent (Plasmodium), the host (human), and the vector (female Anopheles mosquito).
Recognize that a mosquito is an arthropod.
Construct the chain of transmission: An infected human is bitten by a mosquito (arthropod), which then bites a healthy human. This translates to Man → Arthropod → Man.
Compare this correct sequence with the given options to find the match.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 117-119

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 84-86

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