Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites.

The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2020, the region was home to 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.

Since October 2021, WHO recommends broad use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high malaria transmission. The vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce malaria, and deadly severe malaria among young children.

Malaria is transmitted to people through the bites of infected female mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.

The first symptoms – fever, headache and chills – usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite and may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. Left untreated, malaria can progress to severe illness and death within a period of 24 hours.