11 Scary Facts about Malaria

1. Malaria is a common disease of the blood transmitted to human beings by mosquitoes.
2. Malaria symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and other flu-like symptoms.
3. If drugs are not available for treatment or if the parasites are resistant to the medications, the infection can lead to coma, severe life-threatening anemia, and death.
4. Worldwide, 350 to 500 million people contract malaria every year. Up to three million people who contract the disease will die as a result.
5. About 80% of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease kills an African child every 30 seconds.
6. People who have little or no immunity to malaria, such as children and pregnant women, are more likely to become severely ill and die if bitten by an infected mosquito.
7. Children who survive episodes of severe malaria may develop learning impairment and brain damage.
8. Unborn children are particularly vulnerable to malaria. If a pregnant woman contracts malaria, it can cause low birth weight and even death for the newborn.
9. Africa loses an estimated $12 billion annually due to malaria.
10. Malaria can be easily prevented by taking anti-malarial drugs which kill the parasites, reducing stagnant water which provides places for the mosquitoes to breed, spraying insecticides on walls inside the home, sleeping under bed nets, and wearing bug repellent and long-sleeved clothing.
11. Since many countries with malaria are already among the poorer nations, the disease maintains a vicious cycle of disease and poverty. The people who can neither afford a bed net nor access appropriate treatment when they fall sick, are the ones that suffer the most.

Sources:
Millenium Promise
Malaria No More
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control