英语课程计划-Malaria Awareness Day（在线收听）

Former U.S. President George W. Bush declared April 25 as World Malaria Awareness Day in 2007. He asked the world to join the fight to wipe out malaria on the African continent. He said: "We focus our attention on all who suffer from this terrible disease,  especially the millions on the continent of Africa. We remember the millions more who died from this entirely preventable and treatable disease.   On this special day, we renew our commitment to lead the world toward an urgent goal, and that is to turn the tide against malaria in Africa and around the globe.” The day provided international support for Africa Malaria Day. This was a day chosen by African governments in the year 2000 to aim to halve malaria in Africa by 2010.

Malaria kills 3,000 children a day and takes nearly 1 million lives every year in Africa. Although it is a preventable and treatable disease, poverty in Africa makes it a huge killer. Malaria is one of the world’s most common infectious diseases. It is spread by mosquito bites. People usually get malaria after being bitten by a female. Symptoms include dizziness, fever, chills, and nausea. It can also put people in a coma and kill. The spread of malaria has been cut by providing poor Africans mosquito nets and insect repellents. People can also reduce the numbers of mosquitoes near their home by making sure there are no puddles of standing water nearby. Scientists are currently working on breeding malaria-proof mosquitoes.