On World Malaria Day, the global efforts to fight and control malaria and the implemented actions to combat the disease are highlighted. The theme for 2016 is "End Malaria for good".
AT A GLANCE
WHO defines Malaria as a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
The theme reflects the vision of a malaria-free world set out in the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 by the World Health Assembly, which aims to dramatically lower the global malaria burden over the next 15 years. The strategy sets the target of reducing global malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030.
According to WHO’s World Malaria Report 2015, since 2000, there has been a significant decline in malaria cases and deaths globally. Currently, 3.2 billion people worldwide are at risk of malaria. According to the World Malaria Report 2014, 22% of India’s population live in high transmission areas, 67% live in low transmission areas and 11% live in malaria-free areas.
The spread of Malaria knows NO BORDERS. More must be done to #EndMalaria for good! @nisheFR illustrate this hopepic.twitter.com/uA1pMynQZX— IOM (@IOM_news) April 24, 2016
Knowledge is key to ending Malaria. Here are a few facts about the disease:
1. Malaria is especially dangerous for pregnant women as the parasite can pass into the mother’s womb and infect the foetus as well.
2. According to WHO, almost half of the world's population is at the risk of the disease.
3. Around 15 countries account for 78% of the deaths globally.These countries are mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.
4. Malaria is preventable and curable and increased efforts are being made to bring its verge.
5. WHO reports that between 2000 to 2015, malaria incidence among populations at risk fell by 37% globally while death rates fell by 60%.
SOURCE: http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-world-malaria-day-who-s-theme-end-malaria-for-good-2204186
