Malaria is a serious illness caused by parasites spread through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and body aches. Without treatment, it can become life-threatening.

Kano faces a malaria risk score of 60 out of 100 due to several local factors. The hot climate supports mosquito breeding year-round. Poor drainage, stagnant water in gutters, ditches, and containers creates ideal breeding sites. Many homes lack proper window screens. Agricultural irrigation around the city adds more standing water. Overcrowded housing makes transmission easier. Indoor sleeping without protection raises nighttime exposure when these mosquitoes are most active.

Here are five practical steps to protect yourself:

Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net every night. Tuck it under your mattress and check for holes. This single step reduces infection risk dramatically. Make sure all family members sleep under one, especially children and pregnant women.
Eliminate standing water around your home. Empty, cover, or treat containers, old tires, flower pots, and blocked drains weekly. Fill puddles and fill low areas where water collects after rain.
Use mosquito repellent on exposed skin at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes bite most. Apply containing DEET or picaridin to arms, legs, and neck.
Wear long sleeves and pants during evening hours. Light-colored clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes. Keep doors and windows fitted with screens or close them before sunset.
Seek early treatment if fever develops. Visit a health facility within 24 hours of fever onset. Do not self-medicate with leftover drugs. Kano has health facilities offering rapid diagnostic tests and effective treatment.

These steps combined significantly lower your risk despite Kano's challenging environment.

Malaria risk in Kano

Prevention Guide