Malaria is a parasite infection that is carried from person to person by mosquitoes. A mosquito bites an infected person, and then transmits the infection via blood to other individuals that it bites.

The good news is that malaria can be treated with medication, but its effects are best minimized through prompt, effective treatment that starts within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. So, help recognizing malaria symptoms is a vital part of malaria education.

Most important, malaria is preventable. Through precautions such as insect repellents and indoor spraying, mosquito nets used when sleeping, removing standing water where mosquitoes breed, mosquito traps and anti-malarial drugs, the incidence of malaria can be significantly reduced.

Learn more about malaria