Health Library

Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection which is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. The Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria is neither a virus nor bacteria. It is a single cell parasite which multiplies in the RBC of human and mosquito intestine.

Generally people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. The malaria parasite is found in red blood cells of an infected people , malaria can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplant, or the shared use of needles or syringes contaminated with blood.

There are numerous factors that are responsible for causing mosquito bites. Scent, light, heat, and humidity are few of the factors responsible. Different species of mosquitoes — like the ones that carry malaria — prefer bacteria and sweat. Others are attracted to carbon dioxide and certain hand odors.