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Malaria

Fact Sheet: English (PDF 33kb) | Spanish (PDF 32kb) | Creole (PDF 31kb)

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito. Mosquitoes transmit the disease to humans.

Malaria can also be spread through blood transfusion, organ transplants, vaginal birth or the shared use of needles or syringes contaminated with infected blood. You cannot get malaria through casual contact with an infected person.

Two types of parasites liver stages that can remain in the body for years without causing sickness. If not treated, they may cause relapses after months or years with no symptoms.

If treated correctly, Malaria can be eliminated from your body.

Signs & Symptoms: typically begin 7-30 after infection. Malaria can come on suddenly.

• Fever
• Chills
• Sweats
• Headache
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Body Aches
• Weakness
• Discomfort

Prevention:

• Prevent mosquito bites.
• Visit your healthcare provider 4-6 weeks before traveling.
• Purchase anti-malarial drugs before traveling overseas.
• Know the signs of possible Malaria infection.
• If you or a member of your party gets sick while traveling or several months after you return to the US seek immediate medical attention.
• Don't assume you are protected because you had malaria in the past.
• A re-infection of Malaria could be more severe than your first infection.