With World Malaria Day commemorated today (25 April), the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 2022 saw nearly a quarter of a billion cases of malaria worldwide in four African countries, namely Nigeria (26.6%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (12.3%), Uganda (5.1%) and Mozambique (4.1%), accounting for nearly half of all malaria cases globally.
Mzansi is no stranger to malaria, and some parts of South Africa such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal are endemic to malaria, according to the national health department. Around 10% of the country’s population is at risk of contracting the disease.
The disease is caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito, so if you are bitten by an infected mosquito, you might end up with malaria.
With World Malaria Day in mind, Vitality Health International has announced a partnership with the social benefit organisation, Goodbye Malaria, to reduce the high incidence of malaria.
“Malaria remains the most prevalent disease in Africa with a major impact on the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable with $12 billion lost in productivity every year,” says Emma Knox, CEO of Vitality Health International: Africa. “We believe that by working together, we can reduce the negative impact of malaria and save many lives on the continent.”
Aiming for zero malaria
This year the theme of World Malaria Day is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, and implement”.
Sherwin Charles, the co-founder and CEO of Goodbye Malaria said, “Over the past 10 years, Goodbye Malaria has made a significant impact in efforts to bring an end to this devastating disease. In partnership with Vitality Health International, we can further amplify our efforts, reach more people in need and together, accelerate our getting to zero. Making malaria part of our history, once and for all.”
In Southern Africa alone, over the last 10 years, Goodbye Malaria has committed R270 million (around $15 million) to the fight against malaria in Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini (known as the MOSASWA region). Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. According to the 2022 WHO World Malaria Report the region had 95% (234 million) of malaria cases and 96% (593 000) of malaria deaths. Eighty per cent (80%) of these annual deaths are sadly those of children under the age of five.
Watch out for the symptoms
Malaria is preventable and treatable but continues to affect millions of people worldwide.
According to the health department, malaria symptoms may only develop 10-14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Even if you have taken chemoprophylaxis, you can still contract malaria, and then this incubation period might be longer.
If you have visited an area where malaria is prevalent, you should look out for:
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, sweating, fatigue, myalgia (back and limbs), abdominal pain, diarrhoea, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting, could be an indication of malaria.
- You should seek immediate medical attention if you have flu-like symptoms for up to six months after visiting a malaria area.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022), published a Summary of Results in which they estimate that one-fifth of the world’s population will reside in Africa by 2050, which makes this year’s World Malaria Day theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, and implement”, even more important.
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