40 percent of the world is at risk of malaria but 9 out of 10 cases occur in Africa south of the Sahara. Health systems' failure, drug resistance, population movement, deteriorating sanitation, climatic changes and, in some cases unplanned development activities, are contributing to the spread of malaria. With acute disease a child may die within 24 hours. Malaria kills a child every 30 seconds, often in combination with other diseases.
Children can suffer an average of six malaria bouts each year.
In endemic areas, as much as 60 percent of schoolchildren's learning may be impaired. Nearly 60 percent of miscarriages are due to malaria. In some parts of the world strains of malaria have developed resistance to the four leading antimalarial drugs. Malaria is a major killer of refugees in Africa. The cost of malaria control and treatment drains African economies.