George Clooney suffered from a bout of malaria after recently visiting Sudan. the A-list star had traveled to the country with the U.N. to provide aid before a potentially dangerous separation of the southern region. Clooney cares deeply about this part of the world, striving to raise awareness about the situation and prevent future catastrophe and war. Clooney went to Sudan to help prevent any new outbreaks of violence and, while there, contracted the potentially fatal condition. He is now recovered from the disease.
Malaria is the fifth leading cause of death around the world, according to the CDC. Although mostly absent from the United States, it continues to kill many people every year. In 2008, the World Health Organization estimated there were up to 311 million cases of malaria and up to 1,003,000 deaths. Malaria is usually transferred to humans through mosquito bites.
Simple precautions can help prevent malaria. Mosquito nets should be used and other bite preventions should be practiced. when traveling or living in a widespread region, preventative medications should be taken. If a person has any symptoms or signs of malaria, they should seek treatment immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.
Clooney is not the first celebrity to contract the dangerous illness. the following three celebrities have all suffered from malaria:
Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper is the host of CNN 360 and will soon be hosting his own daytime talk show. as a teenager, the popular anchor went on a "survival trip" to Africa. Anderson contracted malaria and spent time in a Kenyan hospital. Cooper kept the information from his mother until he was healthy and back home.
Jeremy Piven
Jeremy Piven was infected with malaria while filming a movie in 2004. the movie, PCU, was filmed in the United States and Canada. the actor recovered and is now part of the Malaria no More's "Comedy Fights Malaria" program. the campaign uses comedy to spread awareness and start conversations about the deadly disease.
Cheryl Cole
British star Cheryl Cole contracted malaria after a Tanzania trip. Originally diagnosed with exhaustion, the popular Girls Aloud singer and television personality collapsed at a photo shoot. Cole spent several days in the hospital and several more weeks recovering from the harsh illness in 2010.