What is Malaria?Malaria is a fatal disease caused by an infected mosquito that feeds on human blood. Through contact with humans, when feeding, the infected mosquito can transfer the parasite into the human body, thus causing malaria (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The parasite is called Plasmodium and multiplies rapidly in the liver and then in the red blood cells of an infected person and causes flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, chills, and muscle aches (CDC, 2014). There are four types of human malaria: Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. falciparum. (WHO, online Q&A, 2014). It is mainly found in countries like Africa, South Asia, Central and South America (WHO, 2014). “Falciparum malaria, the deadliest type, is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where it causes nearly one million deaths per year” (WHO website, 2014). Malaria is known to be one of the oldest human diseases. Malaria or a malaria-like disease has been observed for over 4,000 years (CDC, 2014). A brief historical overview provided by the CDC (2014) reveals that the symptoms of malaria were described in ancient Chinese medical writings. “In 2700 BC, several characteristic symptoms of what would later be called malaria were described in the Nei Ching, The Canon of Medicine” (CDC, 2014). Why target malaria? According to the CDC, in 2010, we estimates 219 million cases of malaria. occurred worldwide and 660,000 people died, most (91%) in the African Region (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed each year in the United States, and the vast majority of them involve travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria is present. instead of an otherwise unavailable vaccine. It is therefore necessary to commit to combating and eradicating malaria. REFERENCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.htmlLifesaver Blog http://www.lifesaversystems.com/ _blog/LIFESAVER_Blog/post/world-malaria -day/Louis, Maryse (April 2012). “Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, but for how long? taken from: http://blogs.worldbank.org/health/psd/malaria-is-a-preventable-and-treatable-disease-but-for-how-longMalaria no more website http://www.malarianomore.org /pages/what-is-malariaMalaria Consortium Website: http://www.malariaconsortium.org/pages/112.htmMalariavaccine.org Frequently Asked Questions Website: http://www.malariavaccine.org/malvac-vaccine- faqs.phpWorld health organization website http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/