What causes malaria?
WHO describes malaria as an illness caused by Plasmodium parasites. It is transmitted mainly through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and does not ordinarily spread directly from person to person.
What are common early symptoms?
WHO identifies fever, headache and chills as common early symptoms. These symptoms are not specific to malaria and can occur in many illnesses.
Who is at greater risk of severe malaria?
WHO includes infants and children under 5 years among groups at increased risk of severe infection, alongside pregnant people, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS.
What severe features does WHO list?
WHO lists extreme tiredness, impaired consciousness, repeated convulsions, difficulty breathing, dark or bloody urine, jaundice and abnormal bleeding among severe features and states that severe symptoms need emergency care.
How can mosquito exposure be reduced?
WHO identifies avoiding mosquito bites as a central malaria-prevention measure and describes vector-control approaches used in malaria-endemic settings.
References
- World Health Organization. Malaria, 4 December 2025.