Fact 1

Malaria is a common disease of the blood that is transmitted to human beings by mosquitoes.

Fact 2

Malaria symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and other flu-like symptoms.

Fact 3

If drugs are not available for treatment or if the parasites are resistant to the meds, the infection can lead to coma, severe life-threatening anemia, and death.

Fact 4

Worldwide, 350 to 500 million people contract malaria every year. Up to 3 million people who contract the disease will die as a result.

Fact 5

Malaria is particularly devastating in Africa, where about 80% of all malaria deaths occur south of the Sahara. The disease kills an African child every 30 seconds. 

Fact 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.

Fact 7

Children who survive episodes of severe malaria may develop learning impairments and brain damage.

Fact 8

Unborn children are particularly vulnerable to malaria, which during pregnancy is a major cause of death and low birth weight.

Fact 9

Malaria also has devastating economic and social impacts: sick children miss school, tourism suffers, and foreign investment is stifled. Africa loses an estimated $12 billion annually due to malaria.

Fact 10

Malaria can be prevented by:

• keeping mosquitoes from biting, especially at night
• taking anti-malarial drugs to kill the parasites
• eliminating places around the home where mosquitoes breed
• spraying insecticides on home walls to kill mosquitoes that come inside
• sleeping under bednets treated with insecticide
• wearing insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing if outdoors at night

Fact 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 for prevention 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