Tiny Mosquito
Mosquito Diseases - Malaria
What is malaria?
Malaria comes from parasites that enter the bloodstream and migrate
to the liver where they multiply. They then return to the bloodstream
to invade the red blood cells. The parasites continue to multiply inside
the red blood cells until the cells burst, releasing large numbers of
parasites into the system.
Anopheline mosquitoes are the species of mosquito that primarily transmit malaria. These mosquitoes bite during the nighttime hours.
The
World Health Organization reports that malaria infects between 300
and 500 million people every year in Africa, India, Southeast Asia, the
Middle East, Oceania, and Central and South America. There are about 1,200
malaria cases reported each year in the U.S.—most of the cases are
individuals who have been infected abroad.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of malaria
usually appear within eight to twelve days after the mosquito bite.
They include fever, shivering, joint pain, repeated vomiting, generalized
convulsions and coma. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice due to the
loss of red blood cells
Early diagnosis is the key for curing malaria. If not detected early enough, malaria can have fatal consequences.
Who is at risk?
People living in and travelers going to any area of the world where
malaria is prevalent are at risk for infection.
What are the long-term effects?
While most cases of malaria can be treated with prescription drugs,
many people are left with chronic anemia.
Learn more about malaria.
Home - Mosquitoes - Bites - Control - Diseases - Resources - Site Map