Every year some 300-500 million people become ill with malaria and between 1.5 and 2.7 million die from it. Ninety percent of these deaths occur in Africa south of the Sahara.
Malaria is preventable and curable.
The Memorandum forms part of WHO's efforts in implementing the Global Malaria Control Strategy, developed in conjunction with national Ministries of Health. For further information, journalists can contact Gregory Hartle, Health Communications and Public Relations, WHO, Geneva, tel.