NetworkNewsToday: 12 January 2009 – World Bank: Zambia – Malaria is the leading cause of death in Zambia. The disease also poses a threat to the economy, by crippling the workforce. But a concerted effort by Zambia to raise awareness and protect people is achieving good results. A concerted effort by the Zambian government to raise awareness and protect people from malaria, the leading cause of death in the country, is achieving good results. Malaria is a persistent and common threat in most of Zambia, killing over 50000 people a year. The disease hits the countrys children especially hard; 40 percent of under-five deaths are due to malaria. SOUNDBITE (Bemba) Ida Mwapwa, Headwoman, Lubemba village: When I suffered from malaria, I thought I would die. I felt very weak with pain in my joints. My body temperature rose very high. I was rushed to the hospital and treated. The thing about malaria is that it renders you useless. The effect on the economy is also devastating. It is estimated that the loss of productivity due to illness can cost the country US0 million a year and reduce personal income by roughly 18 percent . SOUNDBITE (Bemba) Thomas Mwapwa, Headman, Lubemba village: We had very serious problems with malaria until we received assistance from the Ministry of Health. They came and sprayed in all the homes and brought us mosquito nets. Now we enjoy good health free from malaria. Superstitions still abound about spraying huts and sleeping under bed nets – fears …