Malaria+Malaria

__What is Malaria?__

Malaria, is one of the world's most common and serious disease, is a protozoal (species of bug) infection transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Every year, Malaria causes near one million deaths and near 300-500 million cases. More than 41% of the world's population is at risk of getting Malaria, and is increasing yearly due to weakening of health systems, growing drug/ insecticide resistance, climate changing (global warming), and war. Malaria has been a problem for many years and it still is today. Millions of people, young and old, suffer from this horrible disease. The number of people affected by malaria is rapidly increasing. __Impact__ Malaria is widespread in a total of 105 countries and territories: 45 countries in African Region, 21 in Americas Region, 6 in European Region, 14 in Eastern Mediterranean Region, 9 in South East Asia Region, and 10 in Western Pacific Region. Around 3,000 people die from Malaria each day in the Sub-Sahara (mostly children). Roughly 6% of Malaria cases occur in Southern and Southeast Asia, Mexico, Brazil, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Central and South America, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. In some areas, the infection rates are higher during the rainy season-a time of intense agricultural activity. (Humidity plays role). 90% of Malaria deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. 30% of Malaria deaths in Africa occur in the stir of war, local violence and other public emergencies. An estimation of up to 124 million people in Africa live in areas at risk of seasonal epidemic Malaria, and many more in areas outside Africa where spread is at lower risk. People living in temporary housing (with little protection) are more vulnerable to Malaria because they are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes, are often ill with other infections, and lack access to health care. High-risk groups include children, pregnant women, travelers, refugees, displaced persons, and laborers entering endemic areas. Malaria increases poverty by drastically reducing efficiency and social stability. Poorer populations carry the vast burden of Malaria because of the ease of being able to access medicine is limited (also not enough medicine). __Prevention__ There are few limited ways on preventing Malaria such as insecticide spraying and bed nets. Today only 2% of children in Africa have bed nets with the insecticide. There are other ways of prevention, but are not available if you can’t afford it. In some areas, Malaria parasites have developed resistance to the most common drug that people can afford. Other effective ways of preventing Malaria are vector controls which are an agricultural ways of poisoning the ground which kills off the growing larvae, (ex: applying oil to an open pond). Vaccination is common for high-risk individuals, but not effective yet because they are still undergoing the approval process and waiting on further development. Indoor residual spraying is putting insecticides on the interior walls of homes in high-risk Malaria affected areas. There are several p rophylactic drugs which are used for the prevention of Malaria. Not many people can receive p rophylactic drugs because they are hard to obtain to from outside of the country being so high cost. __Future Prevention of Malaria__ There are some organizations which are participating in the prevention of Malaria like “The Global Fund”, but what can we do as high school students to help the prevention of Malaria deaths? -Rachael Urbano Help prevent Malaria: http://www.malarianomore.org/kids/help.php