11 Facts About Malaria

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1. Malaria is a serious, sometimes fatal disease that is spread by mosquitoes who have been infected by a parasite. The disease is spread when mosquitoes feed on humans.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html (accessed July 31, 2014).]
2. Malaria breeds mostly in warmer climates, where there is an abundance of humidity and rain.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Where Malaria Occurs." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/distribution.html (accessed August 1, 2014).]
3. Malaria exists in 103 countries worldwide, affecting 3.3. billion people, but about 90% of malaria-related deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of those affected are children under the age of five. You can raise money for life-saving mosquito nets in Africa by hosting a basketball tournament. Sign up for Nets for Nets.^["Bill & Melinda Gates foundation." Malaria. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Health/Malaria (accessed August 1, 2014).]
4. Based on recent data, 59 of those 103 countries are currently meeting standards needed to reverse the incidence of Malaria.^["Malaria." WHO. http://www.who.int/gho/malaria/en/ (accessed August 1, 2014).]
5. In the US, about 1,500 cases of Malaria are found every year.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "About Malaria." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/ (accessed August 1, 2014).]
6. Common side effects of malaria are high fever, chills, headache, and other flu-like symptoms. Severe illness and death can normally be avoided if the disease is properly treated.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html (accessed July 31, 2014).]
7. An infected person may start feeling symptoms anywhere from a week to a month after they are bitten. With some rarer forms of Malaria, the parasite remains dormant and an infected person will not become ill for up to 4 years.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html (accessed July 31, 2014).]
8. In 2012, 207 million clinical cases of malaria were recorded worldwide. 627,000 cases were fatal.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Where Malaria Occurs." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/distribution.html (accessed August 1, 2014).]
9. Pregnant women are extremely vulnerable to malaria. If the disease is contracted during pregnancy, it can be passed to the infant or result in low birth weight, which decreases the baby’s chance of survival.^["Lives at risk: malaria in pregnancy." WHO. http://www.who.int/features/2003/04b/en/ (accessed July 30, 2014).]
10. Travelers coming from areas without malaria often have no immunity and are very vulnerable to the illness. Prevention is possible if you visit your primary care physician.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html (accessed July 31, 2014).]
11. Malaria is not a contagious disease. It cannot be contracted through contact with an infected person, sexually or otherwise.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html (accessed July 31, 2014).]