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Malaria is arguably the most severe vector-borne public health challenge
facing Africa and many other regions of
the world. Each year, malaria is responsible
for over one million deaths. Children
under the age of five and pregnant women
are particularly at risk for malaria. According
to the World Health Organization (WHO),
in Africa alone, children represent 90 percent
of the deaths caused by malaria. One of
the greatest frustrations of malaria
is that the disease can be prevented by
taking
the proper
precautions.
Based on estimates from the World Health Organization, there are 300 to 500 million episodes of malarial illness each year. Over 90 percent of deaths caused by malaria occur in Africa. Beyond these staggering health statistics, malaria affects the development, productivity and economic well-being of communities where this disease is rampant.
Malaria: The Facts
According to the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, the following are the alarming facts about the global burden of malaria:
- 3,000 people die from malaria each day
- Every second, there are 10 new cases of malaria
- Malaria is a serious health threat in over HALF of the world’s countries and has recently returned to Central Asia
- Children often die of malaria within 48 hours of the first symptom
- Over HALF of malaria deaths can be prevented within the next 10 years
Malaria and HIV/AIDS
An undeniable link between malaria and HIV/AIDS is beginning to emerge. Research is evidencing that people living with HIV/AIDS in areas susceptible to malaria are dangerously vulnerable to malaria. It is imperative that current initiatives for the control of HIV/AIDS and malaria must be collaborative efforts, and the need for insecticide-treated nets is more critical than ever. Learn
more.
Malaria must be fought with prompt and effective treatment; cases of malaria
among pregnant women must be reduced; insecticide-treated nets must be
distributed to every region at risk for malaria; and individuals who inhabit
these regions must be educated about
the proper use and treatment of these nets with insecticide.
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