George Clooney Beats Malaria...Again
George Clooney recently contracted malaria for the second time while visiting the Sudan, but has made a full recovery thanks to proper care.
That’s right. The 49-year-old actor recently contracted malaria for the second time while visiting the Sudan. But with proper medication, he has shown that this infectious disease, which was once a death sentence, can be beaten.
Clooney was traveling to the Sudan in early January to participate in a project with the United Nations and Google. It was a peacekeeping mission aimed at preventing another civil war in the area. Unfortunately for the actor, the trip didn’t go as smoothly as planned. But that didn’t stop him from keeping as positive outlook.
“Well you know even with malaria it’s just good fun. I’ve had it twice, I guess the mosquito in Juba looked at me and thought I was the bar,” said Clooney.
Malaria is contracted through female mosquitoes, and is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. It causes recurrent attacks of chills and fever, and kills approximately one million people each year. Thanks to medical breakthroughs, there are several different medications that combat this disease, including chloroquine, quinine sulfate, hydroxychloroquine, and mefloquine.
Many times the main barrier to fighting malaria is access to care. Clooney took the opportunity to call attention to the importance of finding a cure for malaria and making sure that others can get treated, especially in locations where the disease is rampant. By doing so, said the actor, "the most lethal condition in Africa" can be "a bad 10 days instead of a death sentence."
More on Clooney:
George Clooney's Latest Role? Beating Malaria [TIME]
George Clooney contracted malaria on Sudan visit [LA Times]
George Clooney contracts malaria [ABC]
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