Malaria

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Malaria is a tropical disease passed on to humans by mosquitoes and is present in over 100 countries. Occasional isolated outbreaks have been reported in England, particularly by airport workers and those who have contact with items imported from other countries. Altogether around 2000 cases of malaria are brought into the UK each year.

The disease is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 90% of malaria-related deaths occur. There are a number of reasons for the geographic spread of malaria including:

Climate: the Anopheles mosquito species that carries the malaria disease lives in hot humid climates. Areas with significant seasonal changes are less prone to malaria as these mosquitoes cannot survive cold winters. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes are less likely to transmit the disease in temperatures under 16Â°c.
Prevention and treatment: those living in developing countries may have poor access to preventative measures, treatments and medical supplies.
Rural areas: people in urban areas fend off malaria more successfully by limiting contact with mosquitoes.
Drainage: poorer drainage in rural areas also increases the risk of malaria as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.

Almost two thirds of all cases of malaria-related deaths occur among the poorest 20% of the worldâ€™s population.

In 1998, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined forces to fund the Roll Back Malaria programme. Roll Back Malaria aims to halve malaria-related deaths by 2010.

There are two general types of malaria: benign and malignant. Benign malaria is milder and more easily treatable. Malignant malaria can be very severe, even fatal, and if suspected requires immediate medical attention.