The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 25 April as World Malaria Day.
World Malaria Day aims to give people the chance to promote or learn about the efforts made to prevent and reduce Malaria around the world. It also gives international partners, companies and foundations a chance to showcase their endeavors and reflect on how to scale up what has worked.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It is caused by Plasmodium single-celled parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of mosquitoes called Anopheles, which also includes several species.
About half of the worlds’ population is at risk of malaria, especially those in lower-income and tropics countries. According to WHO, it infects more than 500 million people each year and kills more than one million people. Children under 5 are the most important victims of Malaria that every two minutes a child loses his life. However, Malaria is preventable and curable.
Every year, a slogan is announced for World Malaria Day. 2021 theme is “Reaching the zero malaria target”.
This year, WHO and partners will celebrate the achievements of countries that are approaching – and achieving – malaria elimination. They provide inspiration for all countries that are working to stamp out this deadly disease and improve the health and livelihoods of their populations.
