19 Years of World Malaria Day

By: Jewel Benton

Since 2007, malaria activists and the World Health Organization (WHO) have helped save an estimated 13 million lives from the disease. However, experts say increased funding and awareness are still needed to further reduce its spread.

April 25 marked World Malaria Day, established in 2007 to recognize global efforts to control malaria and renew the commitment to end the disease. This year’s theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.,” highlights the urgency of continued action.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal illness caused by parasites known as Plasmodium, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the body, the parasites travel through the bloodstream to the liver, where they multiply before infecting red blood cells.

Certain populations are at higher risk, including children younger than 5, pregnant women, travelers and migrants, people living in rural areas with limited access to health care, and individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Symptoms typically appear 10 to 15 days after infection and may include cyclical fever and chills, sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. In severe cases, malaria can lead to anemia, respiratory distress, coma and death if left untreated.

Despite its severity, malaria is both preventable and treatable. Preventive measures include the use of insect repellent, protective clothing and insecticide-treated bed nets. Common repellents include DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin and IR3535, which help deter mosquito bites.

Treatment generally involves prescription medications that target the parasites. According to WHO guidelines:

• Artemisinin-based combination therapies are the most effective treatment for P. falciparum malaria.

• Chloroquine is recommended for P. vivax infections in areas where the parasite remains sensitive to the drug.

• Primaquine may be used alongside primary treatment to prevent relapse in P. vivax and P. ovale cases.

Global progress continues. A total of 47 countries, including the United States, have been certified malaria-free. In 2024, 37 countries reported fewer than 1,000 cases, and 25 countries are now distributing malaria vaccines to protect approximately 10 million children annually.

Still, public health leaders stress that significant work remains.

“For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents, and stolen health and wealth from communities. Ending malaria in our lifetime is a real possibility,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization.

For more information, visit the WHO website.