Download Malaria Fact Sheet

Malaria Fact Sheet
What is malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites common throughout parts of Central and South America, Africa,
Asia, and the Pacific. Several species cause illness, and the severity can depend on the species. Some species have
a dormant stage and cause illness years after the initial infection is treated. This is called malaria relapse.
How is malaria spread?
Malaria is transmitted from person to person by the bite of an Anopheles. The mosquito becomes infected with
the parasites that cause malaria when it bites a person who has these parasites in their blood. After 10-18 days,
the parasites can be transmitted to another person when the mosquito bites them. These mosquitos are rare in
Oklahoma. Rarely, a blood transfusion from an infected person can also lead to infection. This disease is not spread
from person to person through casual contact.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
Symptoms of malaria develop between 7 and 30 days after the bite of an infective mosquito. These symptoms
commonly include fever, sweats, nausea and vomiting, chills, headaches, body aches, and general malaise. The
symptoms often occur in cycles in which a person will appear to recover but will begin to experience symptoms again
several days later. Severe malaria occurs rarely but happens when infections are complicated by organ failures or
abnormalities in the patient’s blood or metabolism. Symptoms of severe malaria include severe anemia, blood in
urine, kidney failure, and neurological involvement.
How is malaria diagnosed?
The first step of a malaria diagnosis is to see a physician after symptoms begin and tell them about any travel to a
part of the world where malaria is common. After this, they may draw blood for a variety of tests. They may be able
to diagnose malaria quickly by seeing parasites on a slide under a microscope, but further testing is usually necessary
to confirm the diagnosis and determine what species of malaria is present.
What is the treatment for malaria?
Malaria is treated with anti-parasitic medications. Which medication to use is determined by a variety of factors,
including the species causing the infection, the part of the world where the infection likely occurred, and the severity
of symptoms. Age, weight, and pregnancy status are also factors for treatment. There is some resistance to
medications, so this may also determine which treatment is used.
What can be done to reduce the risk of acquiring malaria?
Before traveling, consult the CDC Malaria Map online (http://cdc-malaria.ncsa.uiuc.edu/). Enter the location of travel.
If the location is green, no further action is necessary. If the location is red or yellow, consult a travel medicine
specialist about the needs for your travel. They may prescribe you a medicine called “Malaria Prophylaxis” to take
every day or every week during your trip.
Additionally you should take steps to reduce mosquito bites during travel:
• Drain standing water
• Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET
• Dress in clothing that covers exposed skin when possible
• Try to stay in accommodations with window screens and air conditioning.
• Anopheles mosquitos are active during dawn and dusk, so it is important to take precautions then.
If you have a fever within a year after you return, you should seek medical attention and inform the physician of your
travel history. While the time to infection is usually 7-30 days, taking malaria prophylaxis can extend this time by
weeks or months.
For further information, contact the Oklahoma City-County Health Department
(405) 425-4437
revised 10/2014