Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection that remains life-threatening. Transmission occurs primarily via bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, with occasional spread through blood transfusion or contaminated needles.
Early symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches. Without prompt treatment, particularly of Plasmodium falciparum infections, disease may escalate within 24 hours to severe manifestations such as respiratory distress, seizures or coma.
Those at highest risk include infants, young children, pregnant women, travellers to endemic areas and individuals with HIV/AIDS.
Five Plasmodium species infect humans.
P. falciparum is the most lethal and predominates in Africa.
P. vivax dominates outside sub-Saharan Africa.
P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi occur less frequently.
Effective control relies on vector avoidance (insecticide-treated nets, indoor spraying), chemoprophylaxis, and rapid antimalarial therapy to prevent progression from mild to severe disease.
