Malaria Resurgence in the Americas: An Underestimated Threat

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi) and acquired through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitos. With an incubation period of 10 to 15 days after the infective mosquito bite, the disease manifests with fever, chills, headaches, vomiting and tiredness. Although the disease is preventable and treatable, untreated malaria is typically associated with anemia and splenomegaly. In particular, P. falciparum cases commonly progress to life-threatening conditions including “cerebral malaria”, organ dysfunction and death [1]