U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for April 24

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Apr 24, 2011, 12:01 ET

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

SUNDAY, APRIL 24: MALARIA

Profile America — Sunday, April 24th. Tomorrow is Malaria Awareness Day — a time to recognize the impact this ancient, mosquito-borne parasitic disease has on much of the world, and to combat its spread. Ancient Rome was so plagued by the disease it became known as "Roman Fever," and the word "malaria" is medieval Italian for "bad air." Today, the disease is most active in a broad band around the equator, with sub-Saharan Africa most affected. Its estimated that each year there are 250 million cases, and one million deaths. Children under five are a majority of those killed. In the U.S., from 1,2,00 to 1,500 new cases are reported each year, all originating outside U.S. borders. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, p. 237

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 180

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau