Overview:
Malaria is a febrile disease caused by a parasitic organism called plasmodium. This parasite invades red blood cells in the human body and destroys them. Malaria is transmitted to humans most commonly through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, called ‘malaria vectors’, which bite mainly between dusk and dawn. The symptoms of this disease begin to appear in 10-15 days. They include: Fever, chills, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms may be may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. The World Malaria Day is celebrated on the 25th of April of every year.
In 2020, nearly half of the world's population was at risk of malaria. Some population groups are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria and developing severe disease: infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as people with low immunity moving to areas with intense malaria transmission such as migrant workers, mobile populations and travelers.
Facts:
- According to the latest World malaria report, there were 241 million cases of malaria in 2020 across the world.
- The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020.
Objectives:
- Complete elimination of malaria.
Official date:
Globally: 25/4/2021
Locally: 13/9/1442H.
Theme:
«Zero Malaria - Draw the Line Against Malaria»
References: