Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable.
The infection is caused by a parasite and does not spread from person to person.
Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening. Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
While the disease is uncommon in temperate climates, malaria is still common in tropical and subtropical countries. Each year nearl millions of people are infected with malaria, and thousands of people die of the disease.
To reduce malaria infections, world health programs distribute preventive drugs and insecticide-treated bed nets to protect people from mosquito bites. The World Health Organization has recommended a malaria vaccine for use in children who live in countries with high numbers of malaria cases.
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Malaria infections statistics according to world health organisation
Since 2000, 2.3 billion malaria cases and 14 million deaths have been averted worldwide – including 1 million lives saved in 2024 alone – and there has been continued movement towards global elimination goals, with 47 countries and one territory now officially certified as malaria-free by WHO.
Despite these gains, however, malaria remains a serious global health challenge, with an estimated 282 million cases and 610 000 deaths in 2024 – roughly 9 million more cases than
the previous year. The WHO African Region continues to bear the greatest burden, with 11 countries accounting for about two thirds of global cases and deaths. Progress in reducing the malaria mortality rate nevertheless remains far off track.
World health report in 2026
As of early 2026, based on the World Malaria Report 2025, global malaria cases in 2024 rose to 282 million, with 610,000 deaths, driven largely by trends in sub-Saharan Africa, which carries 95% of cases and deaths. Children under 5 account for 76% of deaths in the region, while 47 countries are certified malaria-free, and vaccine rollout is expanding.
Symptoms of malaria
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Unstable breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Cough
- Seizures
What causes malaria
Plasmodium parasites cause malaria.
You get malaria when a mosquito infected with parasites bites you and transfers the parasite to you. You can’t get malaria just by being near a person who has the disease.
Malaria is spread when an infected Anopheles mosquito bites a person. This is the only type of mosquito that can spread malaria. The mosquito becomes infected by biting an infected person and drawing blood that contains the parasite. When that mosquito bites another person, that person becomes infected.
Key takeaway
Malaria symptoms range from very mild to severe disease and even death.
Travelers with symptoms of malaria should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible, even if still traveling.
Some people are at higher risk of having serious malaria-related problems if they get sick.
Malaria is a curable disease if diagnosed and treated quickly and correctly.
