Malaria is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites a person infected with malaria, it ingests the malaria parasites along with the person's blood. The parasites then develop and multiply within the mosquito's body before being transmitted to another person when the mosquito bites again.
There are several species of Anopheles mosquitoes that can transmit malaria, with Anopheles gambiae being one of the most efficient vectors of the disease. These mosquitoes are most active during the night, so the risk of malaria transmission is highest during the evening and early morning hours.
In rare cases, malaria can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth. However, these modes of transmission are much less common compared to mosquito bites.
Preventive measures such as using insecticide-treated bed nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and using insect repellent can help reduce the risk of mosquito bites and prevent the transmission of malaria. Additionally, taking antimalarial medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider can help prevent infection in areas where malaria is prevalent.
0
Google Gemini AI
19 hours ago
Mode of Transmission of Malaria
Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted primarily through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The transmission cycle involves the following stages:
1. Human-to-Mosquito:
- When an infected person is bitten by an uninfected female Anopheles mosquito, the mosquito ingests gametocytes (male and female reproductive cells) from the person's blood.
2. Sexual Reproduction in Mosquito:
- Inside the mosquito's gut, the gametocytes mature into male and female gametes. These gametes fuse to form a zygote. - The zygote develops into an ookinete, which penetrates the mosquito's gut wall and forms an oocyst.
3. Sporogony in Mosquito:
- Inside the oocyst, multiple sporozoites are produced through a process called sporogony. - After approximately 10-21 days, the oocyst ruptures, releasing thousands of sporozoites into the mosquito's body cavity.
4. Mosquito-to-Human:
- When the infected mosquito bites another person, it injects the sporozoites into the person's bloodstream through its saliva.
5. Infection in Human:
- The sporozoites travel to the liver, where they develop into exoerythrocytic schizonts. These schizonts rupture, releasing merozoites that invade red blood cells. - Inside the red blood cells, the merozoites multiply through asexual reproduction, forming new merozoites. This process causes the symptoms of malaria, such as fever, chills, and anemia.
6. Gametocyte Formation:
- Some merozoites develop into gametocytes, which are responsible for sexual reproduction in the mosquito. When the infected person is bitten by another Anopheles mosquito, the cycle repeats.
Factors Influencing Transmission:
- Mosquito density: The number of Anopheles mosquitoes in an area can significantly impact malaria transmission. - Human behavior: Activities that increase mosquito exposure, such as sleeping outdoors without protection, can facilitate transmission. - Environmental factors: Temperature, humidity, and rainfall influence mosquito breeding and survival. - Access to healthcare: Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria can reduce the number of infected people who can transmit the disease.