World Malaria Day is being observed today. Malaria cure and prevention is focused upon, annually on 25th April.

The global campaign theme for 2013 and the coming years is Invest in the future. Defeat malaria. as given by the World Health Organization.

This day was instituted by the WHO Member States during the 2007 World Health Assembly.

It recognizes global efforts to control malaria.  It is also an occasion to highlight the need for continued efforts and a sustained political pledge for malaria prevention as well as its control.

The day also serves as an opportunity for new donors to join the global malaria partnership, research and academic institutions to showcase their scientific work.

According to WHO, 219 million cases are estimated to occur globally each year while 660000 deaths of children under the age of five years occurs every year.

Since 2000, however, malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25%, and 50 of the 99 countries with ongoing transmission are now on track to meet the 2015 World Health Assembly target of reducing incidence rates by more than 75%.