World Malaria Day takes place on 25 April each year. It is an internationally recognised day, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made. Since 2000, the world has made historic progress against malaria, saving millions of lives. However, half of the world still lives at risk from this preventable and treatable disease, which accounts for a child’s life every two minutes.
South Africa has made major progress in malaria control since 2000/2001 when 67 000 cases and >400 deaths were reported. The number of cases mentioned (>16 000 cases and >100 deaths by November 2018) refers to both malaria infections acquired locally within the traditional malaria transmission areas of South Africa, as well as other cases diagnosed in South Africa but who were infected on travels outside of the country. Around half of the patients acquired their infection outside South Africa, predominantly in Mozambique, which is a high-risk malaria-endemic country.
World Malaria Day presents an opportunity to raise awareness of the incredible opportunity we have to eliminate one of the oldest and deadliest diseases and save millions of lives and help communities thrive.
In keeping up with the current advances made towards malaria elimination, listen to these podcasts in English and in isiZulu.
To listen to the podcasts, click on the links below:
