Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Key points about malaria:

• Transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes which carry the Plasmodium parasites.
• Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest burden, accounting for over 90% of global malaria cases and deaths in 2021 according to the World Health Organization.
• The Plasmodium falciparum species causes the most severe form of malaria and is prevalent in Africa.
• Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, nausea, fatigue which can progress to severe illness like organ failure if untreated.
• Malaria remains a major public health challenge, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa due to factors like poverty, lack of resources, insecticide/drug resistance.