Which Insect Causes Malaria?
October 7, 2023 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite, not an insect. The parasite responsible for malaria is called Plasmodium. Plasmodium is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are several species of Plasmodium that can cause malaria in humans, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax being the most common and potentially severe types.
Here’s how the transmission of malaria occurs:
- An infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a person and injects the malaria parasites (Plasmodium) into the person’s bloodstream.
- The parasites then travel to the liver and multiply before re-entering the bloodstream.
- Once in the bloodstream, the parasites infect and multiply within red blood cells, leading to the symptoms of malaria.
- If another mosquito bites the infected person and ingests blood containing the malaria parasites, the mosquito can become infected.
- Infected mosquitoes can then transmit the parasites to other individuals when they bite them, continuing the cycle of transmission.
Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that primarily affects tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It can cause symptoms such as high fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, and, in severe cases, organ failure and death. Preventive measures, such as the use of bed nets, insect repellents, and antimalarial medications, as well as efforts to control mosquito populations, are essential in malaria-endemic areas to reduce the risk of infection.