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Malaria Facts & Worksheets

Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium.

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Malaria is an acute febrile disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that frequently infect female Anopheles mosquitoes, which feed on people and can result in the severe and occasionally deadly illness known as malaria.

See the fact file below for more information on Malaria, or you can download our 28-page Malaria worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

THE MALARIA CARRIERS

  • Malaria symptoms are brought on by blood-stage parasites. When a female Anopheles mosquito consumes particular blood-stage parasites (gametocytes, which come in both male and female forms), they reproduce in the mosquito’s gut and start a cycle of development and multiplication.
  • A parasite type known as a sporozoite migrates to the salivary glands of the mosquito after 10 to 18 days. The sporozoites are injected together with anticoagulant saliva when the Anopheles mosquito feeds on the blood of another person. The sporozoites then move to the liver and start a new cycle.

Plasmodium falciparum

  • The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has the highest mortality rate. This species’ unique virulence results from its capacity to interfere with the host’s physiological processes while it is still in the early stages of development. 
  • The parasite multiplies and develops inside erythrocytes, consuming hemoglobin while modifying the host cells to cling to blood vessel walls.

Plasmodium knowlesi 

  • Previously believed to be the fifth species of malaria that affects humans, Plasmodium knowlesi is now known to be the cause of simian malaria. 
  • Plasmodium knowlesi is predominantly transmitted by zoonotic mosquitoes of the leucosphyrus group, which are only found in rainforest environments. Visitors to transmission stations in the wilderness run a risk.

Plasmodium ovale

  • Like the other malaria parasites of primates, Plasmodium ovale can only spread through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes that are infected. In a human, the prepatent phase lasts between 12 and 20 days. 
  • Relapse can happen up to 4 years after infection in some liver types due to delayed development. In the blood, the developmental cycle lasts roughly 49 hours.

Plasmodium malariae

  • The parasitic protozoan Plasmodium malariae causes malaria in humans. It is one of numerous Plasmodium parasite species that infect other living things and behave as a disease. 
  • It is possible to maintain very low infection rates among a small, mobile population because Plasmodium malariae, unlike the other Plasmodium parasites, can stay in a human host for an extended length of time and yet be infectious to mosquitoes. In addition to infecting different mosquito species, P. malariae can also transmit malaria to people.

WHERE MALARIA OCCURS

  • 40% of the world’s population still resides in malaria-endemic areas, despite the fact that impoverished sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Amazon basin, and other tropical regions are its primary victims today.
  • Malaria is common everywhere in the world but is the highest in common in Africa, Central and South America, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
  • In other Caribbean islands, Eastern Europe, South and Southeast Asia, and islands in the Central and South Pacific Ocean residents can fall victim to malaria. 
  • Developing nations and regions with warm temperatures and high humidity are also more likely to experience malaria.
  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 241 million cases of malaria and 627,000 deaths were reported globally in 2022.

MALARIA SYMPTOMS

  • Malaria symptoms include fever and a flu-like disease with chills, headache, muscular aches, and fatigue. 
  • There may also be nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Due to the loss of red blood cells, malaria may result in anemia and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
  • When a person contracts malaria, symptoms often start to show 10–30 days after infection. The severity of the symptoms can vary depending on the parasite species. 
  • Some people experience no symptoms for up to a year following a mosquito bite. Sometimes parasites can remain dormant in the body for years without showing any signs.
  • Depending on the parasite, several kinds of malaria can recur. The parasites are dormant in a person’s liver for years before being discharged into their bloodstream. When the parasites start moving around, the symptoms start up again.

MALARIA TREATMENT

  • To diagnose malaria, the doctor will examine the patient physically, order blood tests, and evaluate the patient’s medical history and recent travels. 
  • Blood tests can reveal: the type of malaria parasite that is causing a person’s symptoms, the presence of the parasite in the blood to confirm that they have the disease, whether the infection is brought on by a parasite that is resistant to specific medications, and whether the illness is causing any severe complications.
  • When choosing a medication to prevent or treat malaria, a patient’s age and general health are crucial considerations. 
  • Special attention should be given to pregnant women, young children, the elderly, those with significant health issues, and those who did not take medication to avoid malaria infection.
  • For the treatment of severe malaria cases, exchange blood transfusions may be an option. Transfusion of blood is the fastest way to get rid of parasites.
  • At the same time that the patient receives donor blood, blood is drawn from them. The patient will typically also receive medication to treat the infection.  
  • Treatment for malaria must begin as soon as possible. The doctor will prescribe drugs to kill the malaria parasite. 
  • On the other hand, some malaria medications can’t be used on some parasites. Some medications are administered along with other medications. The type of parasite will determine what type of medication you take and how long you take it.

EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY

  • The main negative effects of severe malaria on the human body include cerebral malaria, pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, severe anemia, and/or bleeding. 
  • Acidosis and hypoglycemia are the two metabolic issues that arise most frequently. Any of these problems could manifest suddenly and cause death within a few hours or days.

MALARIA TRANSMISSION

  • When a mosquito bites an individual who has malaria and then bites another individual who does not have the disease, the disease is disseminated. The parasites that cause malaria enter the victim’s bloodstream and go to the liver.
  • Red blood cells become infected when the parasites exit the liver after reaching maturity.

MALARIA PREVENTION

  • Improving public understanding of the disease is crucial to decreasing malaria and malaria-related mortality. This includes knowing the symptoms, how to get treatment, how critical it is to receive treatment early (especially for youngsters), and the necessity of completing the complete course of medication and not stopping when you feel better.
  • Eliminating stagnant water pools, cutting back on plants around homes, and planting lemongrass can all help lower mosquito populations in the area.

Malaria Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Malaria across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Malaria, a serious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium and primarily spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Malaria worksheets: malaria mythbusters
Malaria worksheets: Remember the signals
Malaria worksheets: the parasites

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  • Malaria Facts
  • Malaria Mythbusters
  • Remember the Signs!
  • The Parasites
  • Anopheles Mosquito
  • Transmission
  • Malaria’s Impact
  • Malaria Status
  • World Malaria Day
  • Get Well Soon!
  • The Carriers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is malaria?

Malaria is a serious, life-threatening disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and flu-like symptoms, and can lead to severe complications and death if left untreated.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Symptoms of malaria typically appear within 7 to 30 days after being infected and can include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, malaria can cause anemia, jaundice, seizures, coma, and death.

How is malaria treated?

Malaria can be treated with a combination of antimalarial drugs. The specific treatment depends on the type of Plasmodium causing the infection and the patient’s overall health. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you suspect you have malaria.

How can malaria be prevented?

The best way to prevent malaria is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. This can be achieved by using mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent, and staying indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Other preventive measures include prompt diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases, and the use of antimalarial drugs for high-risk individuals such as pregnant women and travelers to malaria-endemic areas.

Where is malaria most common?

Malaria is most common in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of malaria deaths occur. However, it is also found in other parts of the world, including Central and South America, Asia, and parts of the Caribbean. It is rare in developed countries, but travelers to malaria-endemic areas may be at risk.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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