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Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes ^[3][2]. It is a life-threatening but preventable and curable condition that is not contagious between people ^[1][3]. Five parasite species infect humans, with P. falciparum and P. vivax representing the greatest threat ^[3][2].

Initial manifestations are often mild and nonspecific, including fever, chills, and headache, which can make early recognition difficult ^[1][2]. Without timely treatment, especially from P. falciparum, the disease may advance to severe forms with fatigue, confusion, seizures, or breathing difficulty within 24 hours ^[1][2]. Severe malaria frequently involves cerebral complications, respiratory distress, or severe anaemia, with fatal outcomes reported in a substantial proportion of affected children and adults ^[4].

Globally in 2024, malaria caused an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths across 80 nations ^[1][2]. The WHO African Region carried approximately 95% of cases (265 million) and deaths (579,000), while South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, and Americas also reported meaningful case counts ^[1][2]. Children under five accounted for roughly 75% of malaria deaths in the African Region ^[1][2]. Nearly half the world's population was at risk of infection in 2024 ^[2].

The disease spreads to people principally through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, of which around 40 of over 400 species act as vectors ^[1][3]. It is not transmitted person-to-person, though rare routes include blood transfusion and contaminated needles ^[1]. Transmission intensity varies by locality and season, peaking during rainy periods in tropical settings ^[3].

Avoidance of mosquito bites combined with appropriate medicines forms the basis of prevention ^[1]. Travellers to endemic areas should consult a medical professional weeks ahead of departure so that suitable chemoprophylaxis is selected, with some regimens requiring initiation two to three weeks before travel ^[1]. Prophylactic drugs must be taken for the full stay and continued for four weeks after last possible exposure, since liver-stage parasites may emerge later ^[1].

1. 1 World Health Organization. Malaria [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria
2. 2 World Health Organization. Malaria [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/malaria
3. 3 World Health Organization. Malaria [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/malaria
4. 4 Omari AA et al. Malaria: severe, life-threatening. BMJ Clin Evid. 2007 Jul 1. PMID: 19454095. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19454095/