MALARIA was blamed for around 863,000 deaths in 2008.

More than 243m people contracted the disease that year – with around 1,600 travellers returning with it to the UK.

Earlier this year both X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole and Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba were struck down with the disease.

It is thought Cole was bitten by a female mosquito, which carries the disease-causing parasite, while on holiday in Tanzania.

She spent time in intensive care and had to cancel an appearance at the V-Festival as well as her involvement in X-Factor’s boot camp stage.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed striker Drogba tested positive for malaria earlier this month.

Drogba had been off with a virus which later turned out to be the potentially killer disease. Malaria is most widespread in Africa, South and Central America, Asia and the Middle East.

But the heaviest burden is in Africa, where around 90% of malaria deaths occur each year.

Every 45 seconds a child in Africa dies from the disease and it accounts for a fifth of all childhood deaths.

It is caused by Plasmodium parasites being passed from the mosquito into the blood stream, which then breed inside the host.

Symptoms appear more than seven days after the original bite. Early on these can include headaches, fever, chills and vomiting.

If untreated, it can lead to severe anaemia, breathing difficulty and death.

The disease can be prevented by taking a course of tablets before going to an affected area and continuing to take them after returning as directed by a doctor.