Why Malaria?
Photo: ©MHallahan/Sumitomo Chemical - Olyset® Net
Malaria kills more children in Africa than any other single disease—one child every 30 seconds—but it doesn't have to be this way. Malaria is preventable and treatable. Tools like mosquito nets, safe indoor spraying and effective medicines mean that the world is better prepared to defeat this deadly disease today than any other time in history. Malaria's moment is now.
Mosquito nets hung over beds create a protective barrier against Africa's malaria mosquitoes, which bite between 10pm and 4am. Most mosquito nets can accommodate more than one person—a mother and an infant or a few siblings—for up to three to five years. When enough people sleep under nets, entire communities can be made safer.
Malaria No More uses contributions from the public to fund proven, established bed net distribution programs throughout Africa to reach people most in need.
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Top 12 Facts About Malaria
- In Africa, a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. That's 3,000 children every day.
- Malaria is both preventable and treatable. Recent studies have shown that access to insecticide-treated bed nets and medicine can have malaria deaths by more than 50% in countries including Ethiopia, Rwanda and Eritrea.
- Malaria kills more children in Africa than any other single disease.
- Worldwide, over one million people die of malaria every year. 90% of them are under 5 years old.
- Approximately 90% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa.
- Malaria is caused by a parasite and is transmitted by a mosquito bite.
- Mosquitoes in Africa are nocturnal; that's why a bed net is often all it takes to protect a mother and child.
- Malaria causes flu-like symptoms: headache, fever, vomiting, and chills. If untreated, it can result in coma, brain damage, and death within 24 hours of the first symptoms.
- Long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets are a simple step in fighting the disease; they can protect a mother and infant or two children from malaria for up to five years.
- $10 for a life-saving bed net may not sound like much, but affording it is not possible for most people at risk of malaria.
- After repeated exposure to malaria, many people build up a resistance to malaria. Adults still get sick, but they rarely die. That's why it's so important to protect and treat vulnerable children and pregnant mothers.
- Defeating malaria is an urgent and achievable goal. We have the tools. We can end malaria deaths by 2015.
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