Jen Parer from Rotary Club of Holbrook spoke to the club on "RAM" Rotarians Against Malaria.
Malaria is still endemic in 91 countries.
Chronic malaria causes poverty and poor education.
Estimates there are over 210 million cases annually with 445,000 deaths reported last year (65% of all deaths are children under five).
Anopheles mosquito bites infect people and spread malaria rapidly through communities.
How to interrupt cycle:
1. Person focused control - preventive therapies.
2. Vector (mosquito) control - healthy villages, bed nets, spraying.
3. Development such as better housing and water.
RAM Programs:
- Chasing Malaria in PNG - testing, treating, prevention.
- Bed Net Distribution - insecticide treated bed nets.
- Healthy Villages - equip villages with tools.
- Support vaccine development.
- Support a PhD student.
Malaria Awareness Day 30th April