KAMPALA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's ministry of health on Tuesday launched the third Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) that will provide the latest statistics on the prevalence and transmission patterns of disease as well as its prevention countrywide.

According to the ministry statement, the two-month survey will run under the theme: "Counting the milestones in the Malaria struggle."

"The objective of the survey is to obtain national and sub-national estimates of the prevalence of Malaria, its risk factors and indicators of program coverage, behavior, knowledge and attitudes based on a nationally-representative sample," the statement said.

The survey will target all women aged 15-49 years, in approximately 9,000 households across the country.

According to the ministry, Malaria remains one of the leading killer diseases in Uganda. Children under the age of five and pregnant women remain at high risk because of low immunity against the disease.

Ministry figures show that the disease is responsible for 30 to 50 percent of outpatient hospital visits, 15 to 20 percent of admissions and 9 to 14 percent of inpatient deaths.

The previous survey carried out in 2014/2015 showed a significant drop in Malaria prevalence from 47 percent to 19 percent.