Malaria is a disease brought on by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. After infection it may take a few days to a few weeks before symptoms of malaria set in. Fever, flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain and headaches are common side effects of the disease.  These symptoms are common to many illnesses and so are often challenging to diagnose as malaria.  However, if treatment is not received with in the first 25 hours, severe disease can develop, and sometimes leads to death.  In spite of these difficulties, malaria is both PREVENTABLE and CURABLE.  The 660, 000 death toll (mostly in children), is largely due to the ignorance or indifference of problem.  The majority of malaria deaths occur in the WHO African region, often in areas where local resources and infrastructure are overwhelmed by the extent of the disease.  Support from organizations such as the Red Cross, whose malaria program volunteers are most often locals from the communities that they serve, speak the local languages and understand the cultural barriers, are vital to combating this disease in an ethical and sustainable way.

More than half of the worlds population lives in a place inhabited by the Anopheles mosquito and are at risk of infection.  Furthermore, changes to environment and climate may expand the range of this mosquito beyond its current bounds.  Malaria is a global problem, but and entirely treatable one, given appropriate resources.  Utilizing insecticide dipped mosquito netting around beds and having access to a variety of anti-malarial medications, as well as education of malaria prevention is integral to a healthy life in an area where people live side by side with the Anopheles mosquito.

Sources:
1. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/index.html
2. http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=38940&tid=001