Malaria

• What organism type is malaria?

  Protoctistan parasite
• How is malaria transmitted?

  • female mosquitos, feeding on blood taken, act as vectors to transmit the parasite
• How does malaria affect the body?

  • parasite enters the body and invades the liver cells
  • multiplies in red blood cells, which burst, releasing more parasites and causing severe bouts of fever
• How can the spread of malaria be prevented?

  • insecticide treated nets
  • draining/covering stagnant water to reduce areas where mosquito larvae develop
  • introducing fish to eat the larvae
  • sterilising male mosquitos
• How can malaria be treated?

  • drug treatment to reduce the chances of infection
  • education to recognise the early stages of infection