about malaria

Malaria is an infection caused by the tiny Plasmodium parasite. It is spread by bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, who need blood to nourish their eggs. It can also spread via blood transfusions, shared needles, or from mother to baby during pregnancy.

What Is Malaria, How It Is Spread?

Silhouette of a mosquito on power lines against a large orange sunset.

Malaria’s Global Impact

In 2023, The world had an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597 000 malaria deaths

A stylized globe highlighting Africa in orange with other continents in black and beige.

94% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths were in Africa

UK Malaria Stats

Map of the United Kingdom with all regions shaded in brown.

In 2023, 2106 cases of imported malaria were reported in the UK. This is the highest number of cases seen in the UK since 2001

Most people affected by malaria in the UK are Black Africans

Silhouettes of diverse women with colorful hairstyles, overlapping in a layered artwork.

89% of those diagnosed UK cases did not take malaria prevention tablets

Five stylized human figures in different shades of brown, with the last figure in orange, standing in a row.

The Hidden Cost Of Getting Malaria

Dr Diana Ayoola Mabayoje is one of the co-founders of this initiative. She is an infectious disease doctor working in the NHS in East London and has this to say about malaria.

“My group of hospitals treat at least one patient a week with malaria. Most of my patients with malaria are of Black African origin, like me and have travelled back from Africa. Hardly any of them had taken malaria prevention tablets. Most ended up being admitted to hospital, staying for about 3 days, some stayed in hospital for several months. 1 out of 3 had severe malaria. I have had malaria myself when I was a child growing up in Nigeria. I can never forget how sick I felt, that is why I protect myself from malaria when I travel back home to Africa and I encourage my patients to do the same so that they don’t risk getting sick from malaria”

Malaria wahala

  • School struggles: Students can miss a lot of school, which sets them back in their studies.

  • Feeling awful: It's not just annoying; malaria makes you feel terrible for days, with symptoms that can be really rough. You may need admission to hospital.

  • Really serious risks: In the worst cases, malaria can make you seriously ill and even cause death.

  • Trips and family fun: Malaria can mess up your travel plans and those special moments with loved ones.

  • Money worries: If you're out of work because you're sick, that means lost income, especially if you don't get sick pay. For business owners, it can really affect your livelihood.

A family of three at an airport, engaged in a conversation with a cart holding multiple suitcases. The father is leaning over the cart, smiling, while the young daughter in a blue jacket talks to him. The mother is standing behind, smiling.

Malaria Is Preventable

Malaria prevention is >90% effective when used correctly.  This can stop thousands of people from getting malaria every year after travelling from the UK to countries with malaria.