How it spreads
Most people get malaria when they are bitten by an infectious mosquito that carries the malaria parasite. Female only Anopheles mosquitoes can spread malaria from one person to another. Before Anopheles for mosquitoes to become infectious, they must bite, or take a blood meal, from a person already infected with the malaria parasites. About a week later, the same mosquito will bite the next person and subsequently inject the parasites via her saliva. And the cycle of infection continues.
In rare cases, malaria can spread through
- blood transfusions,
- organ transplantation,
- Sharing needles or syringes contaminated with malaria-infected blood, or
- Congenital, i.e. from a mother to her unborn child before or during birth.
Ways malaria does not spread
Malaria is not contagious. People cannot spread malaria to other people like a cold or flu. You cannot get malaria through casual contact (sitting next to someone with malaria), close physical contact, or even sexual contact.
Risk factors
Anyone can get malaria. Most cases occur in people who live in countries with widespread malaria. These countries are also called malaria endemic regions. People from or living in countries without malaria can become infected when they travel to countries with malaria.
Plasmodium falciparum is the species of parasite that causes malaria, which can be severe and life-threatening. It is very common in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Populations most at risk
People at greatest risk of becoming very ill and dying from malaria include:
- People who have little or no recent exposure to malaria parasites. This may include young children and pregnant women or travelers coming from malaria-free areas.
- People who are highly exposed to mosquito bites infected with P. falciparum.
- People living in rural areas who lack access to health care.
Because of these risk factors, an estimated 90% of deaths caused by malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa. And most of these deaths occur in children under the age of 5.
