Malaria: The Tiny Killer of sub-Saharan Africa

Candace HinoMyers

Period 2

Background Information

• 1 million deaths each year• Most common in sub-Saharan Africa– 90% of deaths

• Plasmodium falciparum is the most common type of malaria

• Malaria is most commonly found in pregnant women and children

Why are Pregnant Women and Children Most at Risk?

• Immune systems are weak during pregnancy and as a child

• Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria in Kenya

Nets

• Malaria transmission decreases by 50%

• Child deaths decrease by 20%• Mosquitoes decrease by 90%

Symptoms

Mild• Fever• Headache• Chills• Vomiting• Young children can

suffer from seizures

Severe• Convulsions• Hallucinations• Confusion• Becoming

unconscious• Eyes turn yellow• Swelling of the

abdomen• Palms and tongue can

become light in color

When Does a Regional Issue Become the World’s Responsibility?

• Malaria is preventable– Because of the poverty in Kenya the

people lack resources to defend themselves against malaria

– Political instability prevents the building of stable malaria programs