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A major campaign launched by United Against Malaria is pitching the game of football (soccer), the world?s most popular sport, to raise awareness and renew commitment by African leaders to eradicate malaria.

The World Cup, to be held in South Africa from June 11 through July 11 2010, will serve as a central venue of the campaign to get players, celebrities and leaders to promote the message: "We have the tools and the momentum. Now we need you. United, we can beat malaria."

"Our key goal is to strengthen Africa's political will and leadership to meet these key targets. This is a unique opportunity --and the first world cup on African soil. This is by far the most popular sport in Africa and the players will be able to promote key messages to combat malaria," said David Kyne from the United Against Malaria partnership.

A United Nations resolution adopted this week has reaffirmed the Organization's commitment to combating malaria. The disease takes the lives of nearly 1 million people each year, with most deaths on the African continent.

"In adopting this resolution, Member States, including donors and endemic countries, have reaffirmed their commitment to combat malaria and achieve preset targets by 2010 and the 2015 MDGs. If we don?t, an African child will continue to die of malaria every 30 seconds," said Hervé Verhoosel, External Relations Manager for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership in New York.

The Roll Back Malaria program has set specific targets to reduce cases of the disease in the coming years by mitigating deaths from 2000 levels by 50% in 2010 and to near zero preventable deaths in 2015, eliminating malaria in 8-10 countries by 2015, and to eradicate malaria world-wide by reducing the global incidence to zero through progressive elimination in countries.

Malaria is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The parasite enters the bloodstream and causes fever, headaches and other flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, the infection in its most severe forms can lead to a coma and death.

Malaria was eradicated in the United States in 1951. The disease is preventable and treatable and for US $10, a bednet, indoor sprays and simple medicines can protect a mother and child for up to five years.