Malaria

Malaria causes around 2.5 million deaths around the world every year, most of them in children under 5.

Malaria is caused by a parasite, which is transmitted to humans by the female Anopheles mosquito. When the mosquito bites a human, the parasite is injected into a red blood cell. Inside the red blood cell the parasite replicates, swelling the cell until it finally bursts releasing the parasite into the bloodstream where it infects other cells. Symptoms include bouts of chills and fever and in some cases, death.

This panel shows the life cycle of the malaria virus.

Each of the cells has been worked by a different stitcher, they are all hand embroidered on a combination of cotton, net, silk and organza and has a layer of white net over the top.

The three samples below, show infected blood cells in the various stages of this cycle. The last showing the infected cell just as it is about to burst and release more of the tiny parasites into the blood plasma which will cause fever and begin the cycle again (this cycle usually takes approximately 48 hours).

The finished panel shows the background fabric with machine stitch showing the tiny parasites at the start of the cycle. These larger peices showing the blood cells are then machine appliquéd on top.

Design by Anne Griffiths

Made by Bodicote WI, Little Compton WI, Over Norton WI and Salford WI.