April 25,2007, is Officially the First Malaria Awareness Day

Most of us only hear about Malaria when watching travel shows or movies that are set in desolate countries. So many know little or nothing about this disease. The only time it concerns us is when and if we take a trip to poorer countries.

This disease continues to kill more and more each year. And, while, treatment exists it is often unavailable. This treatment works but the cost, economically crushes developing countries. Not only do many go without treatment because of poverty , they remain poor because of the cost. Prevention and education is the only way the death toll will stop rising. Lets help, Ashley Judd and many others lead the way by bringing this disease into light.

Why do I you need to learn about this disease?

Malaria is one of the strongest killers in our world. Just, to give you a good taste of the truth, Malaria kills a child about every 30 seconds.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is an infectious disease that is spread by female mosquitoes. Most of these bites occur while the victim is sleeping because that is when mosquitoes generally feed. As the victim is bitten, a Parasite enters the human body and begins asexual reproduction and destructive habitation that often leads to death.

How big is the problem?

This one disease causes about 350-500 million infections in humans and approximately one to three million deaths annually (The numbers are rising quickly ). Many of the dead are pregnant woman and children under the age of 5 years. Pregnant woman are extremely susceptible and consequently many babies are born dead.

Who are the victims?

The victims are generally poor people who live in a warm climate. Rural Africa and many developing countries are unable to prevent Malaria or afford treatment for the infected.

What are solutions?

The treatment works but, the cost of the treatment prevents many developing nations from becoming self sufficient. Prevention has become More and more important.

Bed Nets which we have seen in films, and possibly on camping, trips are making the difference. They are simply mosquito nets which are hung from the ceiling and then hang down, enclosing a bed or sleeping area. This prevents most mosquito bites and the problem of malaria becomes controllable.

It seems so overwhelming that so many countries are unable to take care of their own citizens. Many feel help less to assist the dieing. But, when one takes a look at what is really going on they will see that these counties only need help for a while. Any of us could have been born into a community where good jobs do not exist. Any of us could have been born into a community where no one had ever heard of or seen clean water. All of us could have been born where it was impossible for us to learn about germs and words and good government. This morning I learned that if I skip lunch once a week I could save at least 2 lives each week by buying the same kind of mosquito net that is in my camping kit.

Besides, if we do not care for our fellow humans ( as we can ) we are nothing more than parts of a food chain.