Do you know what causes Malaria?
Brits are baffled by what causes the disease, Malaria, despite the fact it affects more than 1,500 British travellers every year and it kills a child somewhere in the world every 60 seconds.
The research was conducted to mark World Malaria Day today.
The poll, which was commissioned by global pain relief brand Panadol to support its partnership with Malaria No More UK, reveals that:
- 23% of Brits believe you can contract Malaria from dirty drinking water
- 18% believe you can contract the disease from an infected wound
- 7% believe you can contract the disease from eating contaminated food
- 38% of Brits never check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for travel advice before they holiday abroad
With one in five Brits saying they plan to travel to Africa, where the majority of Malaria deaths occur the risk of contracting malaria presents a very real problem. In fact, the number of cases of malaria amongst British travellers has risen by 22% in the past three years, according to Health Protection Agency figures.
James Whiting, Executive Director of Malaria No More UK said: "People in the UK are becoming much more aware that Malaria is a serious issue. However, as Panadol’s research shows, many don’t understand how the disease is contracted or that they could be putting themselves at serious risk if they travel abroad without taking proper precautions. We implore anyone with global travel plans to take a few minutes to find out the malaria facts. It could make the difference between life and death.”
Malaria occurs in more than 100 countries across the world with 90% of all deaths in Africa. Children under five are most at risk - with a child dying every minute from malaria.
He continued: “World Malaria Day is an opportune moment to try to address this knowledge gap. It’s a day to shout from the rooftops that no one, from any country, should die from a disease that we know how to beat and treat. We’re delighted to be partnering with Panadol to raise vital awareness and funds to support our life-saving work in Africa.”
To help raise awareness and funds in the fight against Malaria, Panadol has partnered with Malaria No More UK and pledged to raise at least £100,000 for the charity. Throughout April and May, 5 pence from every pack of Panadol sold will be donated to Malaria No More UK to help fight Malaria in Africa.
Each donation will go towards helping cost-effective life savers like mosquito nets and medicines reach those most at risk from malaria. To put this into context, £1 is enough to buy medicine to save the life of a child with malaria, and £5 is enough to buy deliver and hang a mosquito net that can protect two children.
Tagged in Health