is malaria exclusively a disease of the poor people in india? a case report on plasmodium vivax infection

Malaria remains a public health challenge in india, disproportionately affecting impoverished populations. this case report examines a 46-year-old male daily wage laborer from raipur range, dehradun, who was diagnosed with plasmodium vivax malaria. the patient’s residence near a sewage lake and his low-income status contributed to his heightened vulnerability to mosquito-borne infections. he presented with typical malaria symptoms, including recurrent fever, chills, and fatigue, persisting for 30 days despite prior treatment. diagnostic tests, including abbott’s malaria ag pf/pv card and general blood picture microscopy, confirmed p. vivax infection. hematological results indicated mild anemia and thrombocytopenia, commonly associated with malaria. this case highlights the environmental and socioeconomic factors that exacerbate malaria risk in disadvantaged populations, raising the question of whether malaria is exclusive to the poor or if poverty worsens its impact. in india, p. vivax is responsible for the majority of malaria cases, especially in urban areas where controlling the disease is difficult due to slum growth and poor sanitation. p. vivax is complicating diagnosis due to overlapping clinical features of other infections like dengue. this case underscores the importance of targeted public health interventions to mitigate malaria transmission in low-income regions.