Every year, malaria claims the lives of approximately 438,000 people—many of whom are children. In fact, malaria has been so destructive that it served as the impetus for the creation of the CDC! We know that malaria is spread through mosquitoes… But did you know these 7 things about mosquitoes themselves? Read the WHO’s 2015 Malaria Report, then take a look at how these pesky insects spread this incredibly harmful disease:
1. Malaria is caused by a parasite that’s in the saliva of mosquitoes.
Photo credit: JJ Harrison
2. Malaria can be transmitted only by female mosquitoes because they are the only ones that bite. Male mosquitoes feed on plants, but females require blood in order to reproduce.
3. Human sweat, body heat, and even human breath help mosquitoes choose their victim.
4. The best protection against malaria is sleeping under a mosquito net.
Photo credit: Claude80
5. Mosquitoes are considered to be the deadliest animals in the world!
6. Mosquitoes have been in existence since the Jurassic period.
7. There are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes!
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria is working on some amazing new interventions to bring awareness to malaria, mosquitoes, and preventative health care. From providing mosquito nets to training elders who can teach about malaria prevention through song and dance, The Global Fund is using some extremely innovative steps to eradicating malaria.