What is Malaria?
Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease. Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted through the bite of female anopheles mosquitoes only, which usually bite at night. These mosquitos get the malaria parasite from humans infected with malaria and transmit it from person to person. We can reduce malaria in communities by taking steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, seeking care immediately for fever, and completing the full malaria treatment course.
- Malaria is an important and deadly health threat.
- There is only one way to catch malaria: being bitten by an infected mosquito.
- The female anopheles mosquito bites from dusk to dawn.
- There is always a risk of catching malaria where malaria is endemic, no matter the season.
- Preventing malaria and staying healthy saves money (from prescriptions; transportation; clinic fees; and missed days of work due to being sick, caring for sick children, or attending funerals).
- Preventing malaria and staying healthy means children are more likely to do well in school from not missing days due to illness.
To prevent the spread of malaria and death in the communities you serve, promote the following key actions.
Want to Learn More?
View Resources – Malaria Actions to Promote
