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Plasmodium Falciparum

Plasmodium falciparum is a unicellular protozoan parasite of humans, and the deadliest species of Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans. The parasite is transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito and causes the disease's most dangerous form, falciparum malaria. It is responsible for around 50% of all malaria cases.

Malaria infection causes the destruction of red blood cells in the body, and also interferes with the body’s ability to make new red blood cells. So the body becomes starved of oxygen which can lead to death.

Malaria can be prevented in a number of ways, the main three of which are bite reduction, prophylaxis and vector control. Bite reduction just means steering clear of mosquitoes, and specifically those that transmit malaria.

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