Malaria

Malaria is one of the major public health challenges undermining progress and contributing to poverty in the world’s developing countries:  it causes more than 300 million acute illnesses and at least 1 million deaths annually.  Malaria is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions: Central and Northern areas of South America; sub-Saharan Africa; the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia.

Over 90% of deaths due to malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa. These are mostly young children:  malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds.  Many children who survive severe malaria may suffer from learning impairments or brain damage.  Pregnant women and their unborn children are also particularly vulnerable.  Malaria is a major cause of miscarriages in endemic countries where nearly 60% are due to malaria.  It also contributes to low birth weight and maternal anaemia.

Resistance to traditional drugs is widespread and often makes treatment difficult. Malaria prevention through vector  control therefore has an important role in the global fight against the disease.

The effect of malaria on national economies is equally devastating:  the World Bank has calculated that malaria accounts annually for $12 billion in lost GDP – this represents 4% of the total GDP of sub-Saharan Africa, and a reduction in GDP growth by 1% per year.