Malaria is…

…one of the most widespread infectious diseases of our time, taking the lives of almost one million people a year, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa and under the age of 5.¹ It is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide and almost half the world’s population (3.3 billion)¹ is at risk. Children and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable.

The disease is not only a major killer in Africa but a primary cause of poverty. It has been estimated to cost Africa more than US$ 12 billion every year in lost GDP.² Malaria traps people in poverty and undermines the development of some of the poorest countries in the world. Though the majority of the cases and deaths (85%)¹ from malaria are found in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is also endemic in Asia and Latin America.

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites

·       Five species

There are five species of protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium that have been known to cause human malaria. Learn about the key differences between the species.

·       Parasite lifecycle

Malaria parasites are transmitted to man via the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito and so the parasite lifecycle passes through two parts, one in the mosquito and one in its human victim. See the lifecycle and learn more about the key stages that MMV is working to target with new medicines.

Malaria is a potentially fatal disease

·       Definitions and symptoms

It is the infection and destruction of red blood cells that leads to the clinical signs of malaria: fever and flu-like symptoms, such as chills, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Malaria can also cause anaemia and jaundice due to loss of red blood cells. ³ Unless treated quickly the disease can kill within 24 hours: children under the age of 5 are particularly at risk.

Malaria is tackled with a range of tools

·       Current tools

Indoor residual spraying with insecticides and long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets kill the mosquito vector and help prevent transmission of the infection. Diagnostics as well as medicines to treat and prevent the disease are available. The most advanced malaria vaccine candidate is currently in clinical trials and will hopefully be available in the coming years.

·       Treatment milestones

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are currently recommended as first-line treatment for uncomplicated P.falciparum malaria by the WHO, but this was not always the case. Learn how the treatment of malaria has progressed over the ages.