Malaria is one of the most prolific and virulent diseases in the world. While most of the developed countries have eradicated malaria, the disease still kills over a million people a year in the poorer countries of the world. The continent of Africa accounts the vast majority of people infected with and killed by malaria.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes and enters the bloodstream of a person when a carrier mosquito bites.
Where is Malaria Found?
Malaria is present in over 40 percent of the world, including almost every country in Africa. Most deaths related to malaria are among children in sub-Saharan Africa.
How is malaria prevented?
Some strains of malaria can be prevented with the use of anti-malarial medication. Unfortunately, the more virulent strains of malaria in Africa are becoming increasingly resistant to anti-malarial drugs. Using mosquito bed nets, especially those treated with insecticides, is also an important step in preventing malaria infection.
Why is Malaria so Common and Deadly in Africa?
The main mosquito that transmits malaria in Africa is very prolific and the most efficient mosquito in the world in transmitting the disease. The most common strain of malaria in Africa is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most deadly of all of the malaria parasites, accounting for 97 percent of all malaria deaths worldwide. Over 75 percent of all malaria cases in Africa are caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
What Other Factors Contribute to Widespread Malaria in Africa?
The climate in most of Africa allows for the presence of mosquitoes and the transmission of malaria year-round. The economic hardships in many countries in Africa also make effective prevention and treatment programs difficult to implement.
How Many People Are Affected Every Year?
Every year, 350 to 500 million people are infected with malaria, and approximately one million people die.
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