Not much time to write today, but I wanted to alert you to the fact that it is World Malaria Day!Here are some key facts about malaria from the World Health Organization:
- Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
- In 2010, malaria caused an estimated 655 000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 537,000 to 907,000), mostly among African children.
- Malaria is preventable and curable.
- Increased malaria prevention and control measures are dramatically reducing the malaria burden in many places.
- Non-immune travellers from malaria-free areas are very vulnerable to the disease when they get infected.
WHO also notes that half the world's population (3.3 billion people) are at risk for malaria.
If you are wondering what you can do, the Charity Rating website GiveWell ranks the Against Malaria Foundation its #1 top rated charity. A $5 donation will pay for one long-lasting insecticidal net. You could also donate to Nothing But Nets or Nets for Life.
You can learn more about malaria and actions you can take from the links above (including the icon), or from
Roll Back Malaria
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
and many others (linked on those sites)
If you're on Twitter, I encourage you to take a look at the #malaria hashtag to find lots more commentary and action.
OK, got to run!
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
and many others (linked on those sites)
If you're on Twitter, I encourage you to take a look at the #malaria hashtag to find lots more commentary and action.
OK, got to run!
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