There are 3.3 billion people in the world, in several continents, at risk of being infected with malaria. More than half a million people die every year of a re-emerging disease that is preventable. There are 1.3 billion people living in Africa and there are 45 malaria endemic countries. 

  • 98 % of the cases are registered in Africa 
  • 90% of the deaths happen in this continent, the majority are children 
  • In the Sub-Saharan region, almost 50% of the population live in poverty, in rural areas, without easy access to hospitals and without the nutrition and necessary education to fight the following: 

factors that contribute to being the most affected region in the world: 

  • A very high transmission rate
  • Genetic mutations of the parasite, resistant to current antimalaria medicines 
  • Genetic mutations of the mosquitos, resistant to current insecticides 
  • Species of the parasite that can cause very severe symptoms
  • Very efficient mosquito species 
  • Very favourable climate for the mosquito habitat  

Malaria in Malawi

  • The population in Malawi is more than 18 million 
  • The incidence of malaria in Malawi is 53 new cases per 1000 habitants, with variations in different climatic areas of the country
  • 4 million people are diagnosed with the infection every year
  • 35% of the children have malaria, and in rural areas, the prevalence increases to 40%, especially in children with mothers without formal education. 

Malaria in Tanzania

  • The population in Tanzania is almost 60 million 
  • The incidence of malaria in Tanzania is 120 new cases per 1000 habitants, with variations within regions across the country 
  • 6 million people are diagnosed with the infection every year
  • 9% of the people in mainland have malaria, and in rural areas, the prevalence increases 

Malaria in Kenya 

  • The population in Kenya is almost 54 million 
  • The incidence of malaria in Kenya is 51 new cases per 1000 habitants, with variations within regions across the country 
  • 3.5 million people are diagnosed with the infection every year
  • 5.6% of people have malaria in Kenya but in some areas for example Lake Victoria, the prevalence increases to 19%