Malaria mass-vaccination program launches in Cameroon, brining hope as Africa battles surging infections

Johannesburg — It seems hard to believe that Africa's biggest killer is a tiny insect, but almost every minute, an African child dies with malaria. The continent bears the brunt of the mosquito-borne disease, with 95% of the fatal cases recorded every year, and children under the age of 5 make up about 80% of those deaths.

The malaria parasite spreads to people bitten by infected mosquitos, and causes initial symptoms including high fever, headache and chills.

But finally, after four decades in the making, there's hope for the widespread prevention of malaria infections across Africa as a new vaccine is rolled out across the continent.