Malaria
About 3.3 billion people - half of the world's population - are at risk of malaria. Every year, this leads to about 250 million malaria cases and nearly one million deaths. People living in the poorest countries are the most vulnerable.
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.
Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes.
TDR related research
TDR supports research on this disease. For more information, visit these research sections:
Latest news
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Malaria studies now being used to save lives
Moving research results into action
8 May 2013 -
Improving fever management
14 March 2013 -
Comments on The Guidance Framework for testing genetically modified mosquitoes under review
7 March 2013
TDR publications and articles
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Pre-referral rectal artesunate treatment of childhood malaria in the community
Training manual for community health workers to assess danger signs, provide emergency pre-referral treatment and refer treated children to a health facility
26 December 2012 -
Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Performance - Results of WHO product testing of malaria RDTs: Round 4 (2012)
The evaluation programme is co-sponsored by the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP). Testing is performed at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
10 December 2012 -
Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Performance – Results of WHO product testing of malaria RDTs: Round 3 (2010-2011)
The evaluation programme is co-sponsored by the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP). Testing is performed at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
11 October 2011 -
Changing Mindsets: Research Capacity strengthening in low and middle-income countries
1 November 2010
Malaria transmission
Photo essays
Related WHO information
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Diagnosis and treatment
An integrated approach including prevention and effective antimalarials -
Vector control
Prevention of malaria transmission -
International travel and health
Publication on travel risks, precautions and vaccination requirements