The Problem: Fatal night biters

For many people in Canada, mosquitoes are a symbol of summer: an itchy nuisance at the park or around the camp fire. But for millions of people around the world, mosquitoes are deadly and carry a disease responsible an estimated 660,000 deaths every year. Imagine having to think about that when you step out into your backyard or go camping.

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites that can spread to humans from the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. These mosquitoes thrive in moist, temperate or sub-tropical regions. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly hard hit – suffering from 90% of all global malaria fatalities.

The After Bite

Malaria symptoms usually appear about 9 to 14 days after the infectious mosquito bite. Imagine a really bad flu—fever, headache, vomiting and extreme weakness.

If drugs are not accessible or if the parasites are resistant to them, the impact of the infection can be severe: coma, lifelong brain damage, paralysis and even death. The parasites simply take over the body, infecting and destroying red blood cells and clogging the capillaries that carry blood to the brain (cerebral malaria) or other vital organs.

The Impact

Children, with their small bodies and immature immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to severe illness and death. In fact, every minute a child dies of malaria.

Globally there are an estimated 219 million cases of malaria and 660,000 malaria deaths each year, over 90% of which occur in Africa.

Malaria accounts for one in six of all childhood deaths in Africa.

Malaria in pregnant women can lead to low birth weight, anaemia and a greater risk of death to their newborn babies.

The Solution: Bed Nets & You

Malaria-carrying mosquitoes usually bite at night. Sleeping under a long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net has been shown to reduce malaria transmission by at least 50 per cent and the mortality of children under five by up to 20 per cent. It only costs $10 to send a life-saving bed net to a family living in a malaria endemic region of Africa.

A simple solution can make a huge impact: 1 Net. 10 Bucks. Save Lives.

Join the global movement to end malaria. Help 'Spread the Net' and make a difference!