Malaria

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. There are 5 types of parasites that cause malaria: Plasmodium ovale, P. malariae, P. knowlesi, P. vivax, and P. falciparum. The last 2 are the most common. Primarily, malaria is an infection of the red blood cells, causing recurring fever of sudden onset. Malaria caused by P. falciparum is life threatening and can cause multiple organ damage, coma and death.