Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoan (a group of single-celled microorganisms) belonging to the Plasmodium type. In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death.
Symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten. If not properly treated, people may have recurrences of the disease months later. However, symptoms may occur later in those who have taken anti-malarial medications as prevention.
Methods used to prevent malaria include medications, mosquito elimination and the prevention of bites. There is no vaccine for malaria. For individual protection, the most effective insect repellents are based on DEET or picaridin. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) have been shown to be highly effective in preventing malaria among children in areas where malaria is common.
Mosquito nets help keep mosquitoes away from people and reduce infection rates and transmission of malaria. Nets are not a perfect barrier and are often treated with an insecticide designed to kill the mosquito before it has time to find a way past the net.
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