25 April
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"405910","attributes":{"class":"media-image","id":"1","style":"float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]World Malaria Day was established and approved at the 60th World Health Assembly (WHA) in March 2007. It replaces Africa Malaria Day which has been commemorated every year since 2001 on 25 April.
On World Malaria Day malaria-free countries can learn about the devastating consequences of the disease and new donors can join a global partnership against malaria. Research and academia institutions to flag their scientific advances and countries in affected regions can learn from each other's experiences and back each other efforts.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People who get malaria are typically very sick and may die.
Malaria facts
- 3.2 billion (half of the world population) are at risk
- In 2013, there were 198 million cases, and 584 000 deaths from Malaria
- In 2014, 97 countries had on-going malaria transmission
- The global malaria mortality rate was reduced by 47% in 2000 - 2013, and an estimated 4.2 million lives were saved as a result of a scale-up of malaria interventions
- US$ 5.1 billion is needed every year, double the funding available
- Malaria costs USD 12 billion per year in direct lossesI
- In South Africa malaria is occurs in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the north-eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal. The peak period is between September and May.
Source: World Malaria Day
