FAQ on Malaria

Disclaimer

The contents of this website are for general information purposes only and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. They are not a substitute for individual consultation with a qualified medical professional.

No guarantee is given for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Use of the content is at your own risk. If you have any health questions or complaints, please always consult a doctor or other qualified professional.

1. What is malaria?

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by single-celled parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The species most relevant to humans are Plasmodium falciparum (malaria tropica), P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi.

According to the latest World Malaria Report by the World Health Organization (WHO), there were around 250 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths worldwide in 2024. Approximately three quarters of those who died were children under the age of five.

2. How is malaria transmitted?

Malaria is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected person, it can ingest the parasites. After the parasites develop within the mosquito, they can be transmitted to another person through a subsequent bite.

Malaria is not transmitted directly from person to person (not via contact, air, or food). In rare cases, transmission can occur through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or from mother to unborn child.

3. Where does malaria occur?

Malaria is widespread in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Other affected regions include parts of South and Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America.

Its distribution depends strongly on the living conditions of Anopheles mosquitoes (temperature, humidity, breeding sites).

All countries in Europe are currently certified as malaria-free.
In Germany, around 500–600 imported cases are reported each year. Local transmission is very rare but, under certain conditions, theoretically possible.

Advice for travellers:
Anyone travelling to malaria-endemic areas should seek pre-travel medical advice on individual risk, recommended protective measures and, where appropriate, chemoprophylaxis.

4. What are the symptoms of malaria?

Symptoms typically begin 7 to 30 days after infection but may occur significantly later depending on the species.

Main symptoms include:

• Fever (often intermittent)
• Chills
• Headache and muscle aches
• Fatigue / weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Severe disease may occur in malaria tropica. This includes cerebral malaria with seizures and impaired consciousness up to coma, severe anaemia, respiratory distress, kidney failure and metabolic complications. Children under five years of age are particularly at risk of severe neurological complications. Without treatment, the disease can quickly become life-threatening.

5. How is malaria diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on the direct detection of parasites in the blood, for example by microscopy (blood smear, “thick drop”) or rapid diagnostic tests (antigen detection).

Molecular methods (e.g. PCR) may be used additionally, for instance to determine the exact species.

Because symptoms are non-specific, any fever following a stay in a malaria-endemic area requires prompt laboratory testing.

6. How is malaria treated?

Malaria is treatable if diagnosed early. Treatment involves specific antimalarial drugs, with the choice depending on the parasite species and disease severity.

Uncomplicated malaria is usually treated with combination therapies. Severe cases require hospitalisation, typically with intravenous medication.

7. Is there a vaccine against malaria?

Yes. Vaccines against malaria have now been approved in some countries and are primarily used in children in high-risk areas. Current malaria vaccines are not considered useful for travellers due to limited effectiveness in this context.

RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix)

Type: Protein-based vaccine with adjuvant (not a live vaccine)

Mechanism: Trains the immune system to recognise and fight specific stages of the parasite

Benefits: Can reduce the risk of severe disease; studies show good efficacy against symptomatic malaria in children

Limitations: Protection is limited and wanes over time; multiple doses are required; currently used mainly in selected African countries as part of vaccination programmes

R21/Matrix-M

Type: Protein-based vaccine with adjuvant (not a live vaccine)

Mechanism: Enhances the immune response against the parasite

Benefits: Can reduce the risk of severe disease; studies show good efficacy against symptomatic malaria in young children

Limitations: Protection is limited and wanes over time; multiple doses are required; currently used mainly in selected African countries as part of vaccination programmes

8. How can malaria be prevented?

The most important protection is avoiding mosquito bites, for example through:

Mosquito nets (preferably insecticide-treated)

Insect repellents

Long, light-coloured clothing

Staying in air-conditioned or otherwise protected rooms

For travellers, chemoprophylaxis may also be advisable. Recommendations depend on destination, travel duration and individual risk factors.

9. Further information

World Health Organzation (WHO)

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Robert Koch-Institut 

Malaria research at BNITM

Malaria is a key research focus at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM). Research spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms to clinical and global health questions:

• Parasite biology and life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum
• Immune response and vaccine development
• Clinical research on diagnosticsandtreatment  
• Epidemiology and disease control
• Vector research on Anopheles mosquitoes
• Data analysis and modelling: use of bioinformatics and computational methods to analyse large datasets, model infection dynamics and predict patterns of spread

Relevant research groups:

• Parasitology / Malaria
• Infection Epidemiology
• Immunology of Infectious Diseases
• Medical Entomology
• Computational Sciences / Bioinformatik