Malaria Day in the Americas: 6 November 2007
6 November 2007
Objectives of a Year-Round Aggressive Campaign
- Improve the communication process and extension of advocacy work to all stakeholders and target audiences.
- Enhance visibility/interest on Malaria in the Region of Americas and the global scourge that the disease brings to peoples of the world.
- Increase awareness and understanding of the key issues among target audience/population.
- Catalyze change of attitudes and modification of behaviors.
- Generate advocacy/support from the public, policy makers, clients and strategic partners.
- Encourage increased and enduring support to efforts against malaria.
Over-Arching Message: Malaria is closer to home than you think …
- Approximately 1 million cases are reported annually in the Americas.
- 1 out of 3 people is at risk of being infected.
- Malaria transmission occurs in 21 countries in the Region.
- Imported cases are reported in other countries which can cause transmission if not managed appropriately.
- Transmission occurs when a person gets bitten by an Anopheles mosquito that carries the malaria parasite.
- Outbreaks and epidemics occur in the presence of the malaria parasite, Anopheles mosquito, and conditions favorable for spread of the disease.
- Everyone is vulnerable and pregnant women, children, and persons living with HIV/AIDS are at higher risk.
- In the Americas, travelers, miners, loggers, banana and sugarcane plantation workers, indigenous groups, populations in areas of armed and/or social conflict, and people along areas of common epidemiologic interest / border areas are also susceptible to the disease.
- Approximately 55% to 64% of cases are among people in their most-economically productive years of life.
- Malaria-related illness and deaths constitute great burden to the economy of the Americas in terms of overall cost.
