World Malaria Day is annually observed across the globe on 25th April to highlight the need for investment and commitment toward the prevention and control of Malaria. The day also aims to educate and offer a better understanding of Malaria, a preventable and curable disease.
The observance of the day is annually organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- The theme of World Malaria Day 2022 is “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives”.
Background:
i.During the World Health Assembly of 2007, the Member States of WHO instituted World Malaria Day and proclaimed the 24th of April of every year as World Malaria Day.
ii.The first-ever World Malaria Day was observed on 25th April 2008.
About Malaria:
i.Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites which are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
ii.There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species, Plasmodium(P) falciparum and P. vivax, pose the greatest threat.
iii.P. falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent on the African continent.
iv.Malaria prevention tools and strategies include effective vector control and the use of preventive antimalarial drugs.
v.In October 2021, WHO recommends the use of the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.
vi.RTS, S malaria vaccine– it is the first vaccine recommended for use against a human parasitic disease of any kind.
WHO & Malaria:
i.World Malaria Report 2021 of the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 3 countries accounted for 99.7% of the estimated cases in the South-East Asia Region. India being the largest contributor (82.5%), followed by Indonesia (15.6%) and Myanmar (1.6%).
ii.According to WHO’s latest World Malaria Report 2021, there were an estimated 241 million malaria cases and 627 000 malaria deaths worldwide. This is around 14 million more cases and 69 000 more deaths compared to the previous year.
iii.Around two-thirds of the additional deaths (47000) were associated with the disruption of provision of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
iv.The 2021 report is based on information received from malaria-endemic countries in all WHO regions.
About World Health Organisation (WHO):
Director-General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
