Understanding malaria

Why is malaria so dangerous?

Malaria is one of the world’s most dangerous diseases, and affects around 300-500 million people each year (WHO 2006). The most serious form - caused by an organism called Plasmodium falciparum - can kill, but other milder forms of malaria caused by Plasmodium. vivax, Plasmodium. ovale and Plasmodium. malariae still make you feel very ill, causing fever and sweating that can return at regular intervals for years if the disease is not treated properly.

Every year at least 1 million people die from malaria, and an estimated 30,000 international travellers contract the disease each year.

Malaria is particularly dangerous in young children who have little resistance to the infection. The World Health Organization advises against taking babies or infants on holiday to malarious areas, particularly where there is drug resistance to falciparum malaria. Malaria is also very dangerous for pregnant women.