Vision (Brockton, MA)

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. The infected mosquito’s saliva, which is injected when it “bites” a human, carries the parasite. In Africa, these mosquitoes feed almost exclusively between dusk and dawn. It takes seven to 14 days to develop malaria symptoms. An estimated 25 percent of children under age 5 and non-immune adults will die if not treated; consequently, immediate treatment after the onset of symptoms is critical. Though eliminated in some parts of the world years ago, malaria remains a major global health problem threatening half the world’s population. Despite the fact that there are simple, cost- effective interventions to prevent and treat the disease, including long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), malaria is a leading cause of death in children under 5 years old, with more than 2000 children dying from malaria every day. Malaria disproportionately affects the poor—sub-saharan Africa bears the heaviest disease burden. with 91 percent of all deaths.