World Malaria Day is commemorated every year on 25 April and recognizes global efforts to control malaria. Globally, 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria.[1] In 2009, 781 000 people died from malaria, mainly women and children in Africa.[2]
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World Malaria Day was established in May 2007 by the 60th session of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization. The day was established to provide "education and understanding of malaria" and spread information on "year-long intensified implementation of national malaria-control strategies, including community-based activities for malaria prevention and treatment in endemic areas." [3]
Prior to the establishment of World Malaria Day, Africa Malaria Day was held on April 25. Africa Malaria Day began in 2001, one year after the historic Abuja Declaration [4] was signed by 44 African malaria-endemic countries at the African Summit on Malaria.[5]
The theme of World Malaria Day 2011 is Achieving Progress and Impact. The theme recognizes the international community's renewed efforts to make progress towards near zero malaria deaths by 2015. This goal is part of the Global Malaria Action Plan of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.