LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — When a small number of cases of locally transmitted malaria were found in the United States last year, it was a reminder that climate change is reviving or migrating the threat of some diseases. But across the African continent malaria has never left, killing or sickening millions of people.
Take Funmilayo Kotun, a 66-year-old resident of Makoko, an informal neighborhood in Nigeria’s Lagos city. Its ponds of dirty water provide favorable breeding conditions for malaria-spreading mosquitoes. Kotun can’t afford insecticide-treated bed nets that cost between $7 and $21 each, much less antimalarial medications or treatment.
For World Malaria Day on Thursday, here is what you need to know about the situation in Africa:
The malaria parasite mostly spreads to people via infected mosquitoes and can cause symptoms including fever, headaches and chills. It mostly affects children under 5 and pregnant women. Vaccine efforts are still in early stages: Cameroon this year became the first country to routinely give children a new malaria vaccine, which is only about 30% effective and doesn’t stop transmission. A second vaccine was recently approved.
Texas Instruments, Mattel rise; General Dynamics, Teledyne fall, Wednesday, 4/24/2024
Iran stages huge parade of weapons and goose
European Union official urges G7 to step up air defense for Ukraine and expand Iran sanctions
Stock market today: Asian shares gain despite Wall Street's tech
Vermont House passes measure meant to crack down on so
Louisiana bills seeking to place restrictions on where people can carry guns receive pushback
Hollyoaks star Theo Graham is the latest actor to leave the soap amid massive cast cull
Annie Kilner is seen for the first time since welcoming her fourth son with husband Kyle Walker
Zendaya dazzles on Variety cover with her Challengers co
Tunisian journalist sentenced to 6 months in prison for insulting an official