ABSTRACT
Malaria has long held prominence in the fields of international and public health, but as the disease has gained increased publicity, one area that has remained underexamined is the manner in which this disease is more than a problem of public health. This chapter examines the ways in which malaria constitutes a threat to the security of the state and those living within its borders. In terms of controlling malaria, interventions traditionally include preventive measures – such as taking antimalarial medications, using bed nets, and covering exposed extremities – as well as reactive measures including treating the disease through in- or outpatient medical treatment. Beginning with malaria’s basic form its potency is augmented by various intervening variables, including species of parasite, climate, as well as type and prevalence of mosquito vector. Although the relationship between malaria, the state, and security is complex, it is nevertheless within ability to grasp and illuminate this underexplored area of health security.
