Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that infects the blood. Four main parasites infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. The parasites are spread through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Infection with one of these parasites often causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches and fatigue. Jaundice and anemia also can occur, and without prompt treatment serious illness and even death may occur.

Malaria occurs in more than 100 countries in Central and South America, Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Oceania. Although Anopheles mosquitoes can be found in Indiana, there is no transmission of malaria by mosquitoes in Indiana. Indiana has cases of malaria every year in travelers returning from parts of the world that have the parasite.

To learn more about malaria, please visit the CDC Malaria webpage.

Traveling soon or recently traveled? Visit our travel page for more information on what to do before and after your trip.