World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day recognized by WHO on April 25 (previously African Malaria Day) to highlight investment and innovation.

• It was established by WHO Member States during the 2007 World Health Assembly.
• Theme for 2025: “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”

About Malaria Disease

• Type of disease: Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes and caused by plasmodium protozoa. 
• Prevalence: It poses a life-threatening risk, primarily affecting tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, South America, and Asia.
• Cause: This disease is caused by plasmodium parasites, which spread through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. 
  • These parasites multiply initially in liver cells and then attack Red 
• Transmission: Not contagious; Cannot spread from one person to another
  • Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection.
• Yaounde Declaration
  • Species and Threat: Five parasite species cause malaria in humans, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax posing the most significant threat.

Current Status

• Global burden:
  • ~263 million affected annually (WHO World Malaria Report 2024).
  • 600,000 deaths yearly; 94-95% in Africa.
  • However, the mortality rate has decreased since the COVID-19 peak in 2020, which caused significant disruptions.
• India’s Performance: India successfully exited the “High Burden to High Impact” (HBHI) initiative in 2024. 
  • Between 2017 and 2023, malaria cases in India dropped by 69% (from 6.4 million to 2 million), and deaths fell by 68% (from 11,100 to 3,500).
• Advancements:
  • Drugs: Quinine → Chloroquine → Artemisinin.
  • Prevention: Insecticide-treated nets, indoor spraying, now vaccines (RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M vaccine).
• Modern Challenges:
  • Climate change, deforestation, stagnant waters increasing mosquito habitats.
  • Malaria control now integrated into environmental impact assessments.