Malaria

Malaria is a serious, potentially life-threatening, infectious disease caused by a parasite spread by the bite of certain species of mosquitoes. It occurs mostly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and causes millions of deaths each year. Malaria can be prevented and treated effectively by killing the parasite in the body using drugs such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and, in some cases, a vaccine. The use of insecticide-treated bed nets and environmental management to reduce the presence of mosquitoes are also critical to preventing the spread of the disease. Malaria is a major global public health problem that must be addressed to continue saving lives and reducing the global burden of disease.