WiRED International Observes World Malaria Day

BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN

 

About 3.2 billion people — almost half the world’s population — are at risk of malaria. For World Malaria Day 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) chose the theme “End malaria for good.” Over the next 15 years WHO’s goal is to reduce, by 90 percent, the rate of new malaria cases and deaths, eliminate malaria in at least 35 countries and prevent malaria from reemerging in countries that are now malaria-free.

 

Malaria is a life-threatening disease with flu-like symptoms, often becoming severe, and in many cases leading to death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 438,000 deaths globally in 2015. Malaria is caused by parasites that infect female Anopheles mosquitoes in 95 countries in Asia, Africa and South America. These mosquitoes then transmit malaria to humans. In areas where malaria is common, the best prevention is to avoid mosquito bites by using repellants and nets. There is still no vaccine for malaria, and it can recur throughout a person’s lifetime.

 

For more information, WiRED International’s Learning Center offers malaria modules for grassroots audiences and healthcare professionals.