Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites (single-celled organisms that invade and live in cells and tissues of other organisms. There are several protozoan parasites that cause problems. They are present in food, soil and water and can make people
very sick. Each different protozoan parasite can cause a different sickness or disease in our bodies).
Malaria is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. There are approximately 350–500 million cases of malaria reported each year. Most of the vitims of malaria are from Africa, where ca. 99% of malaria-related deaths occur.

Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases. Thre are 5 species of the plasmodium parasites, including Plasmodium falciparum (responsible for the most serious forms of malaria), Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi (responsible for milder cases that are not generally fatal). This group of human-pathogenic Plasmodium species is usually referred to as malaria parasites.

In most cases, people get infected with malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito.

Anopheles mosquitoes are the only spieces that can transmit malaria. The mosquito bites an infected person, taking a small amount of blood, which contains microscopic malaria parasites.When the mosquito feeds on another person's blood, these parasites mixed with the mosquito's saliva are injected into the person's blood. The parasites multiply within red blood cells. Malaria transmission can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites with mosquito nets and insect repellents, or by mosquito control measures such as spraying insecticides inside houses and draining standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs.