One of the leading causes of death worldwide

Malaria has been brought under control and even eliminated in much of Europe, the Americas and parts of Asia. However in Africa, home to the most severe and life-threatening form of malaria, increasing drug resistance and crumbling health systems have led to a rise in the number of infections over the last three decades.  While good progress has been made in Asia and Latin America, the burden in some of these areas is also still high.

Malaria is a life-threatening and devastating parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. It is one of the leading causes of death and disease worldwide, especially in the developing world. It affects 40% of the world’s population – putting 3.2 billion people at risk in 107 countries. An estimated 500 million cases of malaria every year cause up to 3 million deaths, of which an estimated 90% occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, the majority children under the age of five.

• Malaria causes one in five childhood deaths in Africa
• Malaria costs Africa US$ 12 billion every year in lost GDP
• Malaria affects the poorest in Asia
• Malaria is both preventable and treatable