MALARIA: BIOLOGY, DISEASE AND CONTROL-A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite ongoing control efforts, it remains a severe public health threat-particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where children under five face the highest risk of infection and mortality due to limited access to healthcare. Once in the human host, parasites undergo liver-stage development followed by asexual replication in RBCs, leading to symptoms such as fever, chills, and anaemia. Severe Plasmodium falciparum infection can result in cytoadhesion of infected RBCs to endothelial cells, causing microvascular obstruction, organ damage, and cerebral malaria. Theincreasing resistance to antimalarial drugs and insecticides has substantially hindered eradication efforts. Current research focuses on understanding parasite biology, immune evasion, host-pathogen interactions, and transmission mechanisms. This review provides a concise overview of malarias etiology, life cycle, transmission, and pathogenesis, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic and preventive strategies to overcome ongoing challenges and reduce the global burden of malaria.