Target: Malaria

Malaria is treatable and beatable. Yet, right now it is killing a child every 60 seconds.

Public enemy #1

It’s been killing for thousands of year; since the time of King Tut.  It’s time to stop the killing.  It’s time to stand together. We’re talking about a disease that we eliminated in the U.S. back in the 1950s, but Africa was left behind. This generation has the ability to end malaria deaths that have plagued the continent for centuries and continues to this day.

So, what exactly are we fighting? Malaria is caused by the plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. This deadly pest flies and feeds at night (which is why bed nets are an effective prevention tool).

The Plasmodium parasite under a microscope

When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and heads for the liver, where it multiplies. Then, it re-enters the bloodstream, attacking red blood cells, destroying them from the inside-out. This infection causes some pretty severe symptoms. Typically, someone with malaria experiences a high fever, chills, joint pain and a terrible headache. Left untreated, symptoms advance to convulsions, vomiting, organ failure and ultimately…death. This video may help.

But, malaria is 100% preventable. And we’ve got a great plan to beat it.

Malaria doesn’t discriminate. It preys on the young and most vulnerable. 90% of malaria’s victims are under the age of 5. It’s robbing families of sons and daughters, literally stealing the future of Africa. Here are some key points to remember as you spread the word.