Who's Responsible?

Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. In humans, the parasites travel to the liver, where they mature. They enter the bloodstream and infect the red blood cells. The majority of symptoms are caused by the massive release of the parasites into the bloodstream, the anemia resulting from the destruction of the red blood cells, and the problems caused by large amounts of free hemoglobin released into circulation after red blood cells rupture.

Malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn baby and by blood transfusions. Malaria can be carried by mosquitoes in temperate climates, but the parasite disappears over the winter. The disease is a major health problem in much of the tropics and subtropics. The CDC estimates that there are 300-500 million cases of malaria each year, and more than 1 million people die. It presents a major disease hazard for travelers to warm climates.In some areas of the world, mosquitoes that carry malaria have developed resistance to insecticides. In addition, the parasites have developed resistance to some antibiotics. This has led to difficulty in controlling both the rate of infection and spread of this disease.

In the book, Silent Spring, Rachel Carson's main purpose is to stop the use of insecticides and pesticides. By doing this, it will increase the rate at which diseases become more and more prevelant in countries such as Africa, the Indian sub-continent, Indonesia, etc. It makes mosquitos more resistant to the insecticides, which could result in an epidemic. Hence, we can say that in a way, Rachel Carson is responisble for the deaths of millions of Africans each year.