Which disease remains a major global health issue with about 1.5 million deaths per year, mostly children?

• A. Malaria
• B. West Nile Virus
• C. Dengue
• D. Yellow Fever

Answer: (A)

This question focuses on the global mortality burden of infectious diseases and why one disease remains a leading killer, especially among children. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. It can start with fever and flu-like symptoms, but it can progress rapidly to severe anemia, cerebral malaria, and organ failure, particularly in young children who have less immunity. Because transmission occurs across many tropical regions, especially sub-Saharan Africa, the disease still causes about 1.5 million deaths annually, mostly in children under five. Prevention and control rely on preventing mosquito bites (insecticide-treated nets, indoor spraying), rapid diagnosis, and effective treatment with antimalarial drugs like ACTs. While West Nile Virus, dengue, and yellow fever can be serious, they do not account for the same global death toll year after year, making malaria the best answer here.