Areas of risk
Malaria is typically found in warmer tropical and subtropical countries
Areas in Africa, South Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania have been affected.2
Key facts
According to the World Malaria Report, in 2021 there were 247 million malaria cases and 619,000 deaths.3
The WHO published The Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030 to guide and support malaria-endemic countries on controlling and eliminating the disease.3
Antimalarial drugs are recommended for those visiting malaria-endemic countries. However, they are not 100% protective and must be combined with personal protective measures.4
~1/2 of the world’s population
lives in areas at risk of malaria transmission2
In many of the countries affected by malaria, it is a leading cause of illness and death.5
Malaria at a glance
Primary vector1,6
Anopheles
Biting habits:
- Late evening and early hours of morning
Symptoms1
Most common:
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweats
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Aches
Severe malaria involves organ failure or abnormal blood and metabolism. It's a medical emergency that should be treated urgently and aggressively.
Available treatment4
Antimalarial drugs
Prevention4
Protective measures and antimalarial drugs (when appropriate)
References: 1. Disease. Malaria. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated March 22, 2022. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/disease.html 2. Frequently asked questions (FAQs). Malaria. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated March 22, 2022. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html 3. Malaria. World Health Organization. Updated December 8, 2022. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria 4. Choosing a drug to prevent malaria. Malaria. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated July 1, 2022. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html 5. Impact of malaria. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated December 16, 2021. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/malaria_worldwide/impact.html 6. Malaria. Biology. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated January 2022. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/index.html