Malaria is a febrile illness caused by one of the four different species of the parasite Plasmodium . This disease is a leading cause of illness worldwide, with over 200 million cases reported each year. Any person residing in or traveling to a country where malaria is prevalent is at risk for infection with malaria.
Malaria is common in tropical or subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Anopheles mosquitoes are uncommon in New York City. These mosquitoes generally bite during the evening or early night time hours. Malaria may also be transmitted by transfusion of blood from infected people or by the use of contaminated needles or syringes. Symptoms include fever, chills, sweats, and headache, and in some instances may progress to jaundice, bleeding, shock, kidney or liver failure, delirium, and coma.