Although often associated with tropical regions, malaria is a disease caused by parasites that can infect humans and is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Note: Other symptoms of malaria may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Treatment depends on many factors including disease severity, the species of malaria parasite causing the infection, and the part of the world in which the infection was acquired. To reduce the risk of malaria, individuals should take protective measures to avoid mosquito bites and also take antimalarial medication.
Several types of malaria parasites are capable of infecting humans:
Malaria cannot be transmitted from human-to-human touch. Although rare, malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions, with an average of one case of malaria resulting from a blood transfusion occurring every two years in the United States.
The CDC reports that about 2,000 cases of malaria annually in the United States, with the majority of cases occurring in travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria transmission occurs, often in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Immunize Los Angeles wants to facilitate the process of malaria prevention while traveling, which is why we offer pre-made travel bags that include mosquito nets and insect repellents to help protect against malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
