The Butterfly Tree and Malaria

The Butterfly Tree and Malaria According to data from the World Health Organisation, half of the global population are at risk of contracting malaria.

John Coombs

THE BUTTERFLY TREE AND MALARIA According to data from the World Health Organisation, half of the global population are at risk of contracting malaria. There are four distinct parasites that can cause malaria in humans; however, the most common and deadly – Plasmodium falciparum – is very common in Zambia.

Statistics The World Health Organisation estimated that 2019 saw 229 million new cases of malaria, an increase of 12 million when compared to 2016. The same year saw 409,000 deaths, with 94% of these occurring in the WHO Africa region.

Fighting Malaria The Butterfly Tree works to raise awareness and fundraise to support the fight against malaria in Zambia. The charity’s malaria prevention initia-

tive has been supported by charities such as Saga Charitable Trust and St James Place Foundation, with the aim of reducing the number of cases of malaria in the Southern Province of Zambia.

The work carried out by the Butterfly Tree has included providing insecticidal coatings, larviciding and mosquito nets. The charity has also run educational workshops in remote villages. These workshops have reinforced how important testing is, and how sleeping under insecticide-treated nets can help to save lives.

For more information about The Butterfly Tree and malaria in Zambia, visit the blog of John Coombs, Vectorcide founder.