Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. It is transmitted through mosquito bites and symptoms include fever, chills and flu-like illness. While some malaria can be treated if diagnosed early, it can become severe and even fatal without treatment. Prevention methods include antimalarial drugs for travelers, insect repellents, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets. Vaccines are still in development but not yet widely available.

1. MALARIA
PREVENTION
TREATMENT
SYMPTOMS
1

2. WHAT IS MALARIA?
Malaria is a life-threatening
mosquito-borne blood disease
caused by a Plasmodium
parasite.
It is transmitted to humans
through the bite of the
Anopheles mosquito.
Once an infected mosquito bites
a human, the parasites multiply
in the host's liver before
infecting and destroying red
blood cells.

3. HOW DO WE TREAT MALARIA?
In some places, malaria can be treated and controlled with
early diagnosis.
However, some countries lack the resources to do this
effectively.
Currently, no vaccine is licensed for use in the United
States or globally, although one is available in Europe.
Malaria was eliminated from the U.S. in the early 1950s,
but between 1,500 and 2,000 cases still occur each year,
mostly in those who have recently travelled to malaria-
endemic areas.

4. FAST FACTS ON MALARIA
Malaria is typically
spread by mosquitoes.
Symptoms resemble
those of flu, but,
without treatment, the
effects can sometimes
be long-term and fatal.
Travellers, hikers, and
campers can protect
themselves with
medication, pest
control, clothing, and
nets.

5. MALARIA PARASITES
Over 100 types of Plasmodium parasite can infect a variety
of species.
They replicate at different rates, and this affects how
quickly the symptoms escalate, and the severity of the
disease.
Five types of Plasmodium parasite can infect humans.
They are found in different parts of the world.
Some cause a more severe type of malaria than others.

7. MALARIA
SYMPTOMS
Malaria symptoms
can be classified into
two categories:
uncomplicated and
severe malaria.

8. UNCOMPLICATED MALARIA
This is
diagnosed when
symptoms are
present, but
there are no
signs to
indicate severe
infection or
dysfunction of
the vital
organs.
This form can
become
severe
malaria if left
untreated, or
if the host has
poor or no
immunity.
Symptoms of
uncomplicate
d malaria
typically last
6 to 10 hours
and recur
every second
day. Some
strains of the
parasite can
have a longer
cycle or cause
mixed
symptoms.
As symptoms
resemble
those of flu,
they may be
undiagnosed
or
misdiagnosed
in areas
where
malaria is
less common.

9. UNCOMPLICATED MALARIA
SYMPTOMS
In uncomplicated malaria, symptoms
progress as follows, through cold, hot,
and sweating stages:
• a sensation of cold with shivering
• fever, headaches, and vomiting
• seizures sometimes occur in younger
people with the disease
• sweats, followed by a return to
normal temperature, with tiredness
1
In areas where malaria is common,
many patients recognize the
symptoms as malaria and treat
themselves without visiting a doctor.
2

10. SEVERE MALARIA
In severe malaria, clinical or laboratory evidence shows
signs of vital organ dysfunction.
Symptoms of severe malaria include:
• fever and chills
• impaired consciousness
• prostration, or adopting a prone position
• multiple convulsions
• deep breathing and respiratory distress
• abnormal bleeding and signs of anaemia
• clinical jaundice and evidence of vital organ dysfunction
Severe malaria can be fatal without treatment.

11. CAUSES
Malaria happens when a bite from the female Anopheles mosquito
infects the body with Plasmodium.
Only the Anopheles mosquito can transmit malaria.
The successful development of the parasite within the mosquito
depends on several factors, the most important being humidity and
ambient temperatures.
When an infected mosquito bites a human host, the parasite enters
the bloodstream and lays dormant within the liver.

12. THE NEW MALARIA PARASITES
The host will have no symptoms for an average of 10.5 days,
but the malaria parasite will begin multiplying during this
time.
The new malaria parasites are then released back into the
bloodstream, where they infect red blood cells and multiply
further.
Some malaria parasites remain in the liver and are not
released until later, resulting in recurrence.
An unaffected mosquito becomes infected once it feeds on an
infected individual.
This restarts the cycle.

13. DIAGNOSIS
The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly advise confirmation of the
parasite through microscopic laboratory testing or by a rapid diagnostic
test (RDT), depending on the facilities available.
Anyone showing signs of malaria should be tested immediately.
Early diagnosis is critical for a patient's recovery.

14. TESTS AND IMMUNITY
No combination of
symptoms can reliably
distinguish malaria
from other causes, so
a parasitological test
is vital for identifying
and managing the
disease.
1
In some malaria-
endemic areas, such
as sub-Saharan Africa,
the disease's severity
can cause mild
immunity in a large
proportion of the local
population.
2
As a result, some
people carry the
parasites in their
bloodstream but do
not fall ill.
3

15. TREATMENT
Treatment aims to
eliminate the
Plasmodium parasite
from the patient's
bloodstream.
Those without
symptoms may be
treated for infection
to reduce the risk of
disease transmission
in the surrounding
population.

16. ARTEMISININ COMBINATION
THERAPY
Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT)
is recommended by the WHO to treat
uncomplicated malaria.
Artemisinin is derived from the plant
Artemisia annua, better known as sweet
wormwood.
It is known for its ability to rapidly reduce
the concentration of Plasmodium parasites
in the bloodstream.

17. COMBINED DRUGS
ACT is artemisinin combined with a partner drug.
The role of artemisinin is to reduce the number of parasites within the first 3
days of infection, while the partner drugs eliminate the rest.
Expanding access to ACT treatment worldwide has helped reduce the impact of
malaria, but the disease is becoming increasingly resistant to the effects of ACT.
In places where malaria is resistant to ACT, treatment must contain an effective
partner drug.
The WHO has warned that no alternatives to artemisinin are likely to become
available for several years.

18. PREVENTION
There are several ways to keep malaria at bay.

19. VACCINATION
Research to
develop safe and
effective global
vaccines for
malaria is ongoing,
with one vaccine
already licensed
for use in Europe.
01
No vaccine is yet
licensed in the U.S.
02
It is essential to
seek medical
attention for
suspected
symptoms of
malaria as early as
possible.
03

20. ADVISE FOR TRAVELLERS
 find out what the risk of malaria is in the country and city
or region they are visiting
 ask their doctor what medications they should use to
prevent infection in that region
 obtain antimalarial drugs before leaving home, to avoid the
risk of buying counterfeit drugs when away
 consider the risk for individual travellers, including
children, older people, pregnant women, and the existing
medical conditions of any travellers
 ensure they will have access to insect repellents,
insecticides, pre-treated bed nets, and appropriate clothing
 be aware of the symptoms of malaria

21. ADVISE FOR TRAVELLERS
In emergency situations,
local health authorities in
some countries may carry
out "fogging," or spraying
areas with pesticides
similar to those used in
household sprays.
01
The WHO points out that
these are not harmful for
people, as the
concentration of pesticide
is only strong enough to
kills mosquitoes.
02

22. ADVISE FOR TRAVELLERS
While away,
travellers
should, where
possible, avoid
situations that
increase the
risk of being
bitten by
mosquitoes.
Precautions
include taking
an air-
conditioned
room, not
camping by
stagnant water,
and wearing
clothes that
cover the body
at times when
mosquitoes are
most likely to
be around.
For a year after
returning home,
the traveller
may be
susceptible to
symptoms of
malaria.
Donating blood
may also not be
possible for
some time.