Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes and caused by Plasmodium parasites. It is transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Common symptoms include fever, chills and flu-like illness. There are four species of malaria parasite that infect humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. Treatment involves antimalarial medications such as chloroquine and primaquine. Prevention focuses on mosquito control measures such as insecticide spraying, reducing breeding sites, and using insecticide-treated bed nets.