Yaounde (Agenzia Fides) - In 2010, worldwide, there were about 219 million cases of malaria causing the deaths of 655,000 people. According to the latest estimates by the World Health Organization, Africa, where there are 90% of deaths due to this disease, is the most affected continent.
Although since 2000 there has been a reduction of more than 25% of deaths worldwide, about half of the population live in areas at risk and, according to the NGO International Plan, out of 200 million cases, 660,000 people are still dying today each year, mostly children under 5 years of age in Africa. This is what emerged during the recent celebration of World Day against Malaria. It is a preventable and treatable infection and with the distribution of insecticide-treated nets among the population of West Africa 3 million children could be saved in the next few years. In Cameroon, for example, where 3 out of 10 children are likely to die of malaria, the disease is one of the major health problems, with 30% of the child population positive to the rapid diagnostic tests. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 29/04/2013)