World Malaria Day, 25 April, is an opportunity to call attention to the global efforts to control this life-threatening disease transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Malaria infects more than one quarter billion people every year, causing nearly one million deaths. Ninety per cent of malaria death occur in Africa, where the disease has serious economic impacts, slowing economic growth and development. However, malaria can be prevented - and cured.
In Southern Sudan, where malaria has a high and continued incidence affecting up to 36 per cent of the population, UNDP has been scaling up malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment - especially for pregnant women, who are particularly vulnerable to the disease. Pregnancy reduces women's immunity to malaria, also increasing chances of severe anaemia, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and even death. For the unborn child, maternal malaria increases the risk of premature delivery and low birth weight - a leading cause of child mortality.
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