First Malaria Vaccine Gets European Approval - Symptoms, Treatment & Definition

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The European Medicines Agency recently green lighted the world's first malaria vaccine. While it has yet to be officially approved for distribution by the World Health Organization, scientists in Africa are elated about the vaccine's approval by the EMA.

Research and testing for the vaccine lasted for 30 years before the EMA reviewed it, states CNN. The vaccine was mainly developed for young children due to their developing immune systems.

The vaccine was developed jointly by GlaxoSmithKline and the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, reports CNN.

PATH has contributed more than $200 million to the research, most of which came from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, reports MSN.

Meanwhile, GSK has reportedly invested more than $356 million of its own money on the development of the malaria vaccine. The drug company projects that it will spend another $200 to $250 million before the vaccine is fully developed.

According to NBC News, the vaccine's scientific name while it was undergoing experimentation was RTS,S. As of late the vaccine has been given the brand name of Mosquirix.

The malaria vaccine differs greatly from other vaccines. While others are designed to fend off viruses and bacteria, the one for malaria is made to fight against a parasite.

The malaria vaccine targets the parasite before it can multiply and spread throughout the human body, explains CNN.

NBC News clarifies that parasites, which cause malaria, are usually carried and transferred through mosquitoes and reside in the human body for years. The malaria causing parasite also has a very intricate life cycle, making it difficult to develop a vaccine.

According to WHO's official website, there are four possible parasite species that can cause malaria: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale.

The vaccine created by GSK and PATH specifically targets the Plasmodium flaciparum parasite, which predominantly spreads malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, GSK told NBC News.

WHO defines malaria as "a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the symptoms of malaria as either uncomplicated or severe, states Medical News Today.

In an uncomplicated case of malaria, patients will exhibit the symptoms for the disease, but there will be no signs of organ dysfunction. Whereas, in a severe case of malaria, there will already be signs of organ dysfunction.

General symptoms of malaria include: Fever or chills, impaired consciousness, prostration, multiple convulsions, deep breathing or respiratory distress, abnormal bleeding and jaundice.

The recommended treatment for malaria is to decrease the amount of parasites residing in the human body through Artemisinin-based combination therapy, or ACT.