A Kansas City family is seeking help after their mother died when she contracted malaria while visiting West Africa.
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46-year-old Latrice Clayton traveled to the Ivory Coast and contracted malaria while visiting a friend in Abidjan. Her children said she experienced symptoms of nausea and decided to visit a clinic two days after she arrived in the country. Her daughter Crystal said Clayton also took a pill to prevent the disease, and it stayed in her system for a few days, but doctors suggested she travel back home for further treatment. Additionally, she had all the mandatory shots and vaccinations before traveling out of the United States.
Her daughters purchased a plane ticket for Clayton to return home, but her blood pressure was too high to travel. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy told the family that an air ambulance would cost them approximately $200,000. Clayton suffered a stroke and stopped breathing before she was rushed into surgery. She came out of a coma and died two days later.
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“So now I’m really hurt. It really seems like they don’t care at all — at all, and I feel like if they would’ve moved a little faster, maybe she would’ve, could still be here,” Crystal explained.
“It hurts, it hurts. I’m still young. I’m only 26 years old. I never thought I’d walk the day at this age without my mother, not right now.”
Malaria is a deadly disease transmitted through an infected mosquito’s bite. It is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which infects the red blood cells and can cause severe illness and even death if left untreated. While malaria is preventable and treatable, it remains a major public health problem in many parts of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
The effects of malaria can be devastating. In addition to causing fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms, malaria can lead to anemia, jaundice, and organ failure. Pregnant women and children under five are particularly vulnerable to the disease, and malaria is a leading cause of death among these groups in many parts of the world.
One of the most dangerous effects of malaria is cerebral malaria, a severe disease that affects the brain. This can cause seizures, coma, and even death. Cerebral malaria is more common in children and can cause long-term neurological damage even if the child survives.
Clayton’s family has launched a GoFundMe page to help bring their mother back home and other expenses. So far, the family has raised $11,000 with a goal of $16,000.
“She has 4 adult children, a 7 year old lil girl, 8 grandkids, and lot of love ones that’s trynna raise money to get her body home and help with any medical expenses. we’ve gotten numbers on medical expenses, and transportation to get her body back here.”