Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and parts of South America. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. There are five species of Plasmodium that can infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi. Symptoms typically appear 10 days to 4 weeks after infection but can appear as early as 7 days or as late as 1 year after exposure.
