Malaria Facts:
Last WHO update: 11 December 2024
Malaria kills an African child every 60 seconds (WHO)
KEY 2023 STATISTICS (WHO)
- 263 million malaria cases | 597,000 deaths across 83 countries
- African Region:
- 94% of global cases (246 million)
- 95% of global deaths (569,000)
- 76% of African malaria deaths were children under 5 years old
WHAT IS MALARIA?
A life-threatening disease spread by infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
→ Found mainly in tropical regions
→ Preventable and curable
→ Not contagious between human
HIGH-RISK GROUPS
- Children under 5 years
- Pregnant women/girls
- People with HIV/AIDS
- International travelers
TRANSMISSION
- Primarily: Bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes
- Rarely: Blood transfusions or contaminated needles
LMALARIA PARASITES
- P. falciparum: Deadliest species | Dominant in Africa
- P. vivax: Major threat outside Africa
- Other species: P. malariae, P. ovale, P. knowlesi
SYMPTOMS (Mild Stage)
- Fever, Chills, Headache, Severe/Critical Stage, Extreme fatigue, Confusion or seizures, Difficulty breathing, → P. falciparum malaria can be fatal within 24 hours if untreated
PREVENTION & TREATMENT
- Prevent mosquito bites (nets, repellents)
- Use prophylactic medicines
- Seek early diagnosis and treatment