Malaria Dominates Sub-Saharan African Countries

The journal PLOS One reported every 75 seconds, a child under five dies of malaria, and children bear the highest burden of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

On May 31, 2023, the pooled prevalence of malaria among children aged 6–59 months was 27.41% (95% CI: 17.94%-36.88%) in SSA.

Infection rates range from 5.04% in Senegal to 62.57% in Sierra Leone. 

This study revealed that older under-five children living in large families with low incomes in rural areas are most vulnerable to malaria infection. 

To notify international travelers of their potential health risks, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 travel advisory focused on malaria outbreaks in Costa Rica. 

While there are malaria vaccines available in June 2023, the deployment has yet to reach critical mass in SSA.