What is malaria and how deadly is it?

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes that causes fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Without treatment, it can progress to severe complications including organ failure, cerebral malaria, and death. A child dies from malaria every minute globally, making it one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.

How does malaria spread?

Malaria spreads through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which primarily bite at night. When a mosquito bites an infected person, it ingests parasites that develop inside the mosquito and are transmitted to the next person it bites. Malaria can also rarely spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or from mother to fetus.

What are the different types of malaria?

Five Plasmodium species cause malaria in humans: P. falciparum (most deadly, causes severe malaria), P. vivax (most widespread, can lie dormant), P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. P. falciparum causes the vast majority of deaths, particularly in Africa. P. vivax can relapse months or years after initial infection.

Is there a malaria vaccine?

Yes, RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) and R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccines have been recommended by WHO for children in areas with moderate to high transmission. These vaccines reduce severe malaria and deaths by about 30-75% when combined with other prevention measures. However, they are not 100% protective, so other prevention methods remain essential.

Can malaria be cured?

Yes, malaria is curable if diagnosed early and treated with appropriate antimalarial medications. Treatment depends on the parasite species, severity, and drug resistance patterns. However, delayed diagnosis and drug-resistant parasites can make treatment difficult. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the most effective first-line treatments.

Where is malaria a risk?

Malaria is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions across Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East and Pacific. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden. Check the live outbreak data above and consult CDC travel recommendations before traveling to endemic areas.

Iowa

Malaria in Iowa

Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. It remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Track Malaria activity and outbreaks specific to Iowa.

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What is Malaria?

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths globally. Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria continues to devastate communities, particularly affecting children under 5 and pregnant women in Africa.

Symptoms

High fever and chills (often in cycles)
Severe sweating
Headache and body aches
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue and weakness
Anemia (severe cases)
Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Confusion or seizures (cerebral malaria)

Transmission

Malaria is transmitted primarily through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. These mosquitoes typically bite between dusk and dawn. Transmission can also occur through blood transfusions, organ transplants, shared needles, or from mother to unborn child.

Contagious Period: Not directly contagious person-to-person; infectious to mosquitoes when parasites are present in blood (varies by species and treatment)

Prevention

Take antimalarial medications when traveling to endemic areas (chemoprophylaxis)
Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin
Wear long-sleeved clothing, especially after sunset
Use indoor residual spraying with insecticides
Eliminate standing water breeding sites
Consider malaria vaccine in high-risk areas (children)
Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms

Iowa Health Resources

Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance

We're Monitoring Iowa

Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Malaria activity across Iowa. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.

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Iowa Health Department

For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Iowa, visit your state health department's website.

→ Iowa Department of Health → Find Malaria Vaccination Near You → CDC Travel Health Notices

Protecting Yourself in Iowa

Whether you live in Iowa, are traveling there, or have family in the state, understanding Malaria prevention is essential. Follow these evidence-based prevention measures:

Prevention Measures

Take antimalarial medications when traveling to endemic areas (chemoprophylaxis)
Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin
Wear long-sleeved clothing, especially after sunset
Use indoor residual spraying with insecticides
Eliminate standing water breeding sites
Consider malaria vaccine in high-risk areas (children)
Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms

When to Seek Care

If you experience symptoms of Malaria in Iowa, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes significantly.

Emergency symptoms: If you experience severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or signs of dehydration, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

View CDC Resources →

WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

View WHO Resources →

Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

View Research →

Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-03-04

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Malaria answered by our epidemiology team

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