Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 084      ICD10: B54      ICD11: 1F4Z

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
It's preventable and curable.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Cause: Parasites belonging to the *Plasmodium* genus. There are several species, with *Plasmodium falciparum* and *Plasmodium vivax* being the most common.
Transmission: Primarily through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. When a mosquito feeds on an infected person, it ingests the parasites. These parasites develop in the mosquito and are then transmitted to another person when the mosquito takes another blood meal.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include:
Fever
Chills
Sweating
Headache
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Severe malaria can lead to complications such as anemia, kidney failure, seizures, and coma.
Prevention:
Mosquito control: Insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and larviciding (targeting mosquito larvae).
Chemoprophylaxis: Taking antimalarial drugs before, during, and after travel to malaria-endemic areas.
Personal protective measures: Using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and staying indoors during peak mosquito biting times (dusk and dawn).
Treatment: Antimalarial drugs, such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).
Impact: Malaria is a major global health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It disproportionately affects young children and pregnant women.
Diagnosis: Malaria is typically diagnosed through microscopic examination of a blood sample to identify the parasites. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are also available, which can provide results quickly.

In summary, malaria is a serious parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Prevention and prompt treatment are crucial for reducing its impact.