Today, this day is celebrated to remember the importance of continuing the fight and efforts against this potentially fatal disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a preventable and curable disease.
According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) published in the 2017 World Malaria Report, there were an estimated 216 million cases of malaria in 91 countries in 2016, an increase of approximately 5 million compared to 2015. Malaria deaths totaled 445,000, a similar figure to that of 2015.
Malaria is diagnosed and treated in the hospitals and health centers of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God in Africa. Malaria is one of the most common diseases, a leading cause of infant mortality, and a serious risk for pregnant women.
According to the WHO, the African Region bears a disproportionate share of the global malaria burden. In 2016, 901% of cases and 911% of deaths from the disease occurred in this region.
The global response to the disease is at a crossroads. After a period of unprecedented success in combating the disease, progress has stalled.
The current pace of progress is not sufficient to achieve the targets set for 2020 in the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016â2030, specifically the 40% reduction in case incidence and mortality rates.
Countries with ongoing transmission are increasingly divided into two categories: those moving toward elimination and those with high morbidity and mortality rates reporting significant increases in the number of cases.
For the WHO: "If we do not act urgently, we will undo all the efforts of the past. On this World Malaria Day, WHO continues to call for increased investment and coverage of proven tools to prevent, diagnose, and treat this disease."
