Malaria is currently endemic in 91 countries with small pockets of transmission occurring in a further eight countries. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant parasite. More than 120 million clinical cases and over 1 million deaths occur in the world each year. Around 800,000 children under the age of five die from malaria every year, making this disease one of the major causes of infant and juvenile mortality. Pregnant women are also at risk since the disease is responsible for a substantial number of miscarriages and low birth weight babies.
Malaria thus has social consequences and is a heavy burden on economic development .
It is estimated that a single bout of malaria costs a sum equivalent to over 10 working days in Africa. The distribution of malaria varies greatly from country to country and within the countries themselves. The significance of malaria as a health problem is increasing in many parts of the world. Epidemics are even occurring around traditionally endemic zones in areas where transmission had been eliminated. These outbreaks are generally associated with deteriorating social and economic conditions, and main victims are underprivileged rural populations.