What is
malaria?

Malaria is subtropical disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite that is spread through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which typically bite after dark. Once in your bloodstream, the parasite travels to the liver, multiplies, and can make you seriously unwell.

There are five Plasmodium species that cause malaria in humans, but two pose the greatest threat:

• Plasmodium falciparum – the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent species in Africa.
• Plasmodium vivax – the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside sub-Saharan Africa, including parts of Asia and Latin America.

The other malaria species that can infect humans are:

• Plasmodium malariae
• Plasmodium ovale
• Plasmodium knowlesi

Did you know? Not all mosquitoes spread malaria, but many carry other diseases like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. That’s why bite prevention is always important, wherever you're travelling.

The disease is mainly spread through the bites of the infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. These mosquitoes act as vectors – meaning they carry and pass the malaria parasite from person to person.

Here’s how malaria transmission works:

1. When an infected mosquito bites a person, it injects malaria parasites into their bloodstream.
2. The parasites travel to the liver, multiply, and mature.
3. Once mature, they re-enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells, causing malaria symptoms.
4. If another mosquito bites this infected person, it picks up the parasites and can pass them on to others, continuing the cycle.

Malaria cannot spread directly from person to person without a mosquito acting as a vector. In rare cases, it can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or contaminated needles.

Malaria symptoms usually appear 7 to 18 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Because the parasite attacks your red blood cells, the illness can progress quickly. However, in some cases, symptoms can take weeks, months, or even up to a year to appear, which is why it’s important to stay alert even after you’ve returned home.

If you’ve travelled to a country where malaria is a risk, keep an eye out for the following symptoms for up to a year:

• High fever
• Chills and shivering
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Chest pain, sore throat, persistent cough, or difficulty breathing

Symptoms can be mild at first and are often mistaken for common viral illnesses. But if left untreated, malaria can become severe and even life-threatening, particularly infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous malaria parasite, which is most common in Africa.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical advice promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment can be lifesaving.