malaria is caused by what
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called malaria vectors.. There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species â P. falciparum and P. vivax â pose the greatest threat. P. falciparum is the most prevalent malaria parasite on the African continent. It is responsible for most malaria-related deaths globally.