Malaria can be deadly. Biting mosquitoes spread it and more than 1 million people, mostly children, die from Malaria each year. Malaria is preventable and it is treatable. Unfortunately, many areas that are affected by Malaria are impoverished. Therefore, the people do not have access to the medicines or tools to keep themselves and their families safe. Malaria is endemic in more than 100 countries and territories. World Malaria Day, April 25, hopes to build awareness to help put a stop to malaria deaths around the world by ensuring universal coverage by the end of 2010. They intend to stop malaria deaths by offering indoor residual spraying, and bed nets treated with long lasting insecticide to all at risk people.The United States is spending tens of millions of dollars to help eradicate malaria. The U.S. is providing needed insecticides, nets, medications and are even working on a vaccine to prevent malaria.

People who live in countries not affected by Malaria may not be aware of the devastating consequences of the disease. The statement issued says that interventions are improving through generous donor contributions. They note that in places such as Ethiopia and Rwanda, malaria deaths have decreased by more than 50 percent since they began this initiative. While they know how to prevent and treat malaria, they still struggle with the distribution of products and the motivation of the people to protect their families.

After the initial malaria infection symptoms may appear anywhere from nine to 40 days depending on the type of plasmodium the person is infected by. Four types of malaria infect humans. Plasmodium falciparum, (P.f.) is the most lethal form of the plasmodium parasite causing the most deaths and has the shortest incubation period. However, if people are taking medication to prevent infection then the incubation period can be much longer, up to 10 months.

Early malaria symptoms are sometimes similar to the symptoms of many other infections that are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. These common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, sweats, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may come and go due to the life cycle of the malaria parasites as they develop, reproduce, and are released from the red blood cells and liver cells in the human body. Other symptoms include a dry cough, muscle pain, back pain, and an enlarged spleen.


The photo was actually taken in Kenya at an orphanage visited by missionaries Paul and Tina Meek. Written permission from Paul and Tina Meek on November 14, 2007.