Case Management; Guide for Tutors
The ongoing global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) poses unique diagnostic and clinical management challenges in regions where seasonal epidemic-prone diseases are endemic. Diseases such as dengue, malaria, seasonal influenza, leptospirosis, chikungunya, scrub typhus and bacterial infections often... present with febrile syndromes that mimic or co-exist with SARS-CoV-2 infection, complicating diagnosis and treatment. This document provides guidelines for preventing, diagnosing and managing such co-infections. A high level of suspicion is essential during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, taking into account region-specific disease prevalence. While the WHO's case definition for SARS-CoV-2 is broad and sensitive, the need for parallel testing for co-infections, in accordance with the protocols of the MoHFW, ICMR, NVBDCP and NCDC, is necessitated by overlapping clinical features. Ensuring the availability of reliable rapid diagnostic kits and applying integrated clinical and laboratory approaches are crucial to improving patient outcomes in the context of concurrent infections.
Accessed on 26/08/2025.
more
The eEML is a comprehensive, freely accessible online database containing information on essential medicine
Antimalarial chemotherapy is crucial for reducing morbidity, mortality, and drug resistance, and is the cornerstone of malaria control. Existing antimalarial drugs act at different stages of the parasite’s life cycle. These drugs range from classic agents such as chloroquine and quinine to newer a...rtemisinin derivatives. They include tissue schizonticides, blood schizonticides, gametocytocides, and sporontocides. Artemisinin and its derivatives are the most effective and fastest-acting treatment against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, achieving rapid parasite clearance and reducing transmission potential. Other key drugs include mefloquine, halofantrine, proguanil, sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine, atovaquone–proguanil, tetracyclines, clindamycin and azithromycin. Each of these drugs has a specific mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety profile and contraindications. Rational drug combinations and adherence to national treatment guidelines are essential for managing resistance, ensuring safety in vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women, and optimising therapeutic outcomes in cases of both uncomplicated and severe malaria.
more
This document provides technical guidance for manufacturers seeking World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification of in vitro diagnostic devices (IVDs) for malaria, with a focus on rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for symptomatic patients. It summarises the minimum performance requirements, includin...g analytical and clinical performance standards, and emphasises considerations relating to diverse specimen types, testing environments and user populations in low- and middle-income countries. The guidance is aligned with the criteria and prequalification processes of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, while clarifying that demonstration of clinical utility is outside the scope of prequalification.
more