World Malaria Day is celebrated on April 25 every year. This year the day will be celebrated with the theme 'Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement.' Within this theme, World Health Organisation (WHO) will focus on the third ‘I’ – implement – the critical importance of reaching marginalized populations with tools and strategies to fight this disease.
Causes and symptoms of Malaria
Malaria is caused by a type of parasite spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which mostly bite at dusk or at night. The first few symptoms of malaria typically appear 7 to 18 days after being bitten by the mosquito. The initial symptoms of malaria are flu-like, but an attack usually starts with shivering and chills, followed by high fever and sweating. Seeing a doctor immediately is advised.
According to WHO report, malaria cases continued to rise between 2020 and 2021, but at a slower rate than in the period 2019 to 2020.
Also watch: World Malaria Day: Reaching the zero Malaria target