Malaria

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. When infected mosquitoes bite the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells. Even though this potentially fatal disease can be prevented and cured, each year 350-500 million cases of malaria still occur worldwide, and over one million people die.

The Effect of Climate Change on Malaria

In commemoration of World Malaria Day, 2021, we look at the relationship between malaria transmission and climate change.

What is Malaria?

Malaria Causes

World Malaria Day 2021: An interview with Sir Brian Greenwood

Malaria Mechanism

Malaria Diagnosis

Malaria Prevention

World Malaria Day 2021: Finding new approaches to fight malaria

Malaria Treatment

Malaria Epidemiology

Malaria History

Fighting malaria in 2021: Where are we now and where are we going?

See more featured articles »

Malaria Society And Culture

Malaria Symptoms

Malaria: A Force Shaping Blood Cell Evolution?

What is Cerebral Malaria?

Driving the Self-Destruction of Malaria-Transmitting Mosquitos

The Science Behind Why Mosquitoes Prefer to Bite Certain People

Latest Malaria News and Research

New research project aims to uncover molecular factors behind malaria’s deadliest strain

Nearly half the world's population lives in regions where malaria is endemic, with the parasite Plasmodium falciparum accounting for approximately 95% of malaria-related deaths globally.

20 Dec 2024

Rwanda successfully controls Marburg virus outbreak

An outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Rwanda has officially been declared over by the Government of Rwanda, with no new cases recorded since the last patient tested negative on 7 November 2024, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

20 Dec 2024

New target identified for malaria treatment

Malaria, caused by a parasite transmitted to humans through an infected mosquito's bite, is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide.

18 Dec 2024

Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’

Many of President-elect Donald Trump's candidates for federal health agencies have promoted policies and goals that put them at odds with one another or with Trump's choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., setting the stage for internal friction over public health initiatives.

17 Dec 2024

Breakthrough discovery could lead to effective vaccine for S. aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections that can sometimes lead to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome.

16 Dec 2024

Nutrition progress stalls: Most nations lag behind 2030 goals

Global progress toward nutrition targets is slow, with few countries on track to meet goals for anemia, stunting, and child overweight by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for long-term, multisectoral strategies.

12 Dec 2024

Widening childhood vaccination inequality in England raises concerns

Inequalities in childhood vaccination are widening in England, with uptake rates of five key vaccines consistently lower in young children living in areas of higher deprivation from 2019 to 2023, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

11 Dec 2024

WHO urges equitable action to end malaria burden

New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths have been averted since 2000, but the disease remains a serious global health threat, particularly in the WHO African Region.

11 Dec 2024

Deforestation undermines malaria prevention efforts

When a forest is lost to development, some effects are obvious. Stumps and mud puddles across the landscape, a plowed field or houses a year after that.

5 Dec 2024

COP29 outcomes fall short on climate health action

Agreements made at COP29 fell short of the ambition and focus needed to fully address the impacts of climate change on health and maximize the benefits of action, according to experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

29 Nov 2024

A roadmap for understanding antimalarial drug resistance

Researchers at University of California San Diego analyzed the genomes of hundreds of malaria parasites to determine which genetic variants are most likely to confer drug resistance.

28 Nov 2024

Fossil fuel industry influences medical research, raising ethical concerns

An investigation published by The BMJ today reveals the extent of fossil fuel industry involvement in medical research, leading to fresh calls for academics and publishing companies to cut ties with companies.

28 Nov 2024

WHO and partners announce grants to boost pathogen genomic surveillance

The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners announced 10 projects that will receive almost US$ 2 million in grants to improve capacities in pathogen genomic surveillance.

26 Nov 2024

Late-liver-stage malaria vaccine delivers 89% protection and boosts cellular immunity

Genetically attenuated malaria parasites with extended liver-stage arrest (GA2) showed 89% protection in a clinical trial, surpassing earlier vaccine candidates and highlighting the potential of cellular immunity.

26 Nov 2024

Scientists develop method to study malaria's sticky proteins

Scientists have unveiled a new tool for studying the highly variable traits that allow malaria parasites to stick to red blood cells and evade the immune system.

26 Nov 2024

Rising waters, rising risks: The health impact of climate-driven floods

Flooding, driven by climate change, poses escalating health risks globally, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations while demanding innovative prevention, preparedness, and recovery strategies.

26 Nov 2024

The silent struggles of men’s mental health and suicide prevention

Globally, the month of November is associated with campaigns to raise awareness and encourage conversation around men's health, particularly on topics such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

25 Nov 2024

Breakthrough discovery could lead to novel malaria vaccines and therapies

Malaria, particularly in its severe forms, remains a global health and economic burden. It causes the deaths of more than 600,000 people every year – most of them African children under five.

21 Nov 2024

Global analysis highlights antibiotic consumption trends and AMR threat

A new study highlights recent, but fluctuating, growth in global human antibiotic consumption, one of the main drivers of growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

19 Nov 2024

Malaria crystal structure offers clues for more effective medications

Prof. Leslie Leiserowitz first became intrigued by malaria when he was a young boy in South Africa. His father, who scouted the continent in search of wood for the family business, brought back not only tales of elephants and gorillas but also skin rashes and ringing in his ears, side effects of the quinine he took to prevent malaria.

19 Nov 2024