The Plasmodium parasite lives in the gut of the mosquito.
Plasmodium is the name of the parasite responsible for malaria. It lives inside mosquitoes and when they bite people, the disease can be transmitted. Malaria kills about 1 million people worldwide each year.
Plasmodium Biology
Plasmodium parasites fall into the biological group called protozoa. These are technically considered animals, but they are single celled and microscopic. The protozoan creatures are smaller than any other animals.
Four Dangerous Varieties
There are four different species of Plasmodium that can cause malaria. They are Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malaria and Plasmodium falciparum. The falciparum variety is more dangerous than any other kind and it is much more common.
Effects
This parasite is transmitted to people through the saliva of a female mosquito during a bite. The parasites make their way into a person's liver and increase in number. Eventually they leave the liver and start invading the entire bloodstream, destroying red blood cells. Over time, this damage to the cells can obstruct the blood-flow to vital organs, leading to organ failure and death.
Symptoms of Malaria
The primary symptoms of malaria moderate to severe shaking chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, aches, pains, fatigue and profuse sweating.
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