04/11/25 Public Health Education Topic: Malaria
- Health Department
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Per CDC
Key points
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito.
Most people get malaria from the bite of an infective mosquito.
Malaria can be a deadly disease if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Starting treatment as soon as possible can often prevent severe illness and death.
Overview:
Malaria is not endemic in the United States. This means it does not regularly occur or spread in the U.S. In a typical year, the U.S. reports about 2,000 cases of malaria. Most of these cases are in people who contract malaria while traveling to another country where malaria spreads and return to the U.S.
On rare occasions, local transmission (spread) occurs because of an imported case of malaria. People do not spread malaria to other people, like the common cold or the flu. Also, malaria is not sexually transmitted.
Symptoms
Malaria symptoms range from very mild illness to severe disease and even death. Early symptoms can include:
Fever and flu-like illness
Chills
Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur
If not treated quickly, the infection can become severe.
Severe symptoms can include
Kidney failure
Seizures
Mental confusion
Coma
To learn more visit: About Malaria | Malaria | CDC
