Malaria

Definition

A serious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Etymology

From Italian 'mala aria', meaning 'bad air', originally used to describe the miasma thought to cause the disease before the discovery of its parasitic origin.

Example

Malaria transmission peaks during the rainy season when mosquito activity is high.

Synonyms

• Paludism

Related Terms

• Plasmodium
• Anopheles
• Parasite
• Infection
• Vector

Usage Notes

Malaria remains a significant health problem in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets and antimalarial medications are crucial in managing and preventing the disease.