World Malaria Day 2025: All you need to know about how this global threat killed more than 6 lakh
As the world observes Malaria Day on April 25, WHO has joined hands with RBM to re-energise efforts at all levels, from global policies to community action, to advance the process of terminating malaria.
The theme for this year is ‘Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite’. Despite significant progress in recent years, malaria continues to cost the lives of many people, and as per the studies by WHO, more than 6 lakh people have died in 2022 alone.
How is malaria caused?
Malaria is caused when plasmodium parasites are transmitted to our body through the bite of an infected anopheles mosquito.
How to prevent it?
It can be prevented through vector control, personal protection, chemoprophylaxis and vaccination.
Vector control is a process where insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spring and larval control are done. Personal protection includes wearing protective clothing, applying repellents and avoiding peak mosquito hours, which is roughly around sunrise and sunset.
Chemoprophylaxis is a process of taking anti-malarial medications before and after travel to areas with high risks. Vaccination is also underway, with the WHO suggesting the use of RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine, which has proven to protect against malaria in children.
Symptoms
The most commonly seen symptoms of malaria are fever, headache and chills. The symptoms usually start within the first 15 days after getting bitten by an infected mosquito.
Infants, pregnant women, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk, and people with these are advised to get medical care right away. Getting treatment early can help prevent the infection from getting severe.
Global threat
Despite taking these measures, malaria is still a global threat, especially in sub-suburban Africa. According to WHO’s World Malaria Report 2023, there were 263 million cases of malaria and 94% of these were from Africa.
Children under the age of five and pregnant women are majorly affected by the disease. WHO, which is spearheading the global fight against malaria, works with countries to execute measures to improve access and treatment. The most significant success in this process is the adoption of ITN. Challenges like the emergence of insecticides and drug resistance along with the lack of healthcare services in many parts of the world are a menace to the process.
As the world celebrates Malaria Day today, it is essential to understand our commitment to fight against the deadly disease. It is important to support countries and their efforts to control and eliminate this disease. Only through continuous effort and collaboration can we liberate the world from malaria.
Health