04/14/26 Public Health Education Topic: Malaria

Per CDC:

Key points

• Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito.

• Most people get malaria from the bite of an infective mosquito.

• Malaria can be a deadly disease if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

• Starting treatment as soon as possible can often prevent severe illness and death.

Causes and Risk

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. Anopheles mosquitoes are the type of mosquito that transmit malaria from one person to another. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes have malaria, but if they bite a person with malaria, they can become infectious. Once they bite another person, this continues the cycle of spreading malaria from mosquito to people.

Symptoms

Malaria symptoms range from very mild illness to severe disease and even death. Early symptoms can include:

• Fever and flu-like illness

• Chills

• Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur

If not treated quickly, the infection can become severe.

Severe symptoms can include

• Kidney failure

• Seizures

• Mental confusion

• Coma

Prevention

• If traveling to an area where malaria spreads, talk with your healthcare provider about medications you can take to prevent malaria.

• Avoid areas with high mosquito activity, especially during late evening and at night. This is when Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria bite.

• Use a bug spray approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants and socks.

• Keep windows and doors closed or covered with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

• Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

  
  

To learn more visit: About Malaria | Malaria | CDC