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. Vector control is a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies as it is highly effective in preventing infection and reducing disease transmission.
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:
- There were 241 million cases of malaria in 2020 across the world.
- The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020.
- Malaria is a curable disease if diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly.
Objectives:
- Reducing the chances of malaria mortality and morbidity.
Official Date:
Globally: April 25th, 2022
Locally: Ramadan 24th, 1443H.
Theme:
« Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives »
Reference: