The Bite That Hurts: Malaria Transmission Explained
Overview - Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium . It remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infective female Anopheles mosquito. 1. Causative Agents There are five Plasmodium species known to commonly infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum – the most lethal and widespread in sub-Saharan Africa Plasmodium vivax – causes relapsing malaria; prevalent in Asia and Latin America Plasmodium ovale – similar to P. vivax but less common; found in West Africa and the Pacific Islands Plasmodium malariae – causes a more chronic infection; scattered distribution worldwide Plasmodium knowlesi – zoonotic malaria from macaque monkeys; emerging in Southeast Asia 2. Life Cycle & Transmission Sporozoite Stage (Mosquito → Human): ...