How mosquitoes spread malaria

Quick overview

• Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria
• Malaria is caused by a parasite, not a virus or bacteria
• Malaria is not contagious; it cannot be transmitted from person to person
• Most cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa
• Reducing standing water helps cut mosquito numbers

Malaria is one of the most well-known mosquito-borne diseases worldwide. According to the World Health Organization’s 2025 World Malaria Report, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases globally in 2024. While that number is largely concentrated in tropical regions far from the U.S., understanding how mosquitoes carry malaria is useful for anyone travels internationally, or simply wants to know more about the insects buzzing around their yard.

Do all mosquitoes carry malaria?

Only mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus can transmit malaria to humans. There are around 3,500 known mosquito species worldwide, and only a small number of Anopheles species transmit the disease. 

That said, many mosquito species can still carry other diseases, so reducing mosquito activity around your home is always a good idea. Learn more about the signs of mosquitoes on your property and what to look out for.

How is malaria transmitted?

How malaria is transmitted comes down to a single moment: the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. When an infected female mosquito bites a person, she passes a microscopic parasite called Plasmodium into the bloodstream. It's this parasite, not the mosquito itself,  that causes malaria.

How does a mosquito get malaria?

The mosquito itself picks up the Plasmodium parasite when it feeds on the blood of an already-infected person. Once inside the mosquito, the parasite develops and migrates to the salivary glands, where it can be passed on during the next bite. It's a cycle that requires both a human host and a mosquito vector to keep going.

Can you get malaria in the United States?

Malaria is not endemic in the U.S., so local transmission is very rare. The main risk is for travelers returning from malaria-endemic regions. If you've traveled abroad and develop fever or flu-like symptoms, consult a healthcare professional promptly.

According to the CDC, most cases of malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa, but it can also be found in South and Southeast Asia, parts of Oceania, Central America, and South America. The WHO provides a handy global map of malaria cases.

Is malaria contagious?

Malaria is not contagious in the way a cold or flu is. You cannot catch it from being near someone who has it, touching them, or sharing space with them. The disease requires a mosquito to act as the go-between, or a direct exchange of blood between humans with malaria, which is rare.

How to reduce your risk of mosquito bites

If you're heading to a region where mosquito-borne diseases are a concern, a few simple steps can help reduce your risk:

• Use repellent: Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent to exposed skin. In many affected regions, mosquitoes can bite during both day and night.
• Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves and pants offer a physical barrier, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Choose your accommodation carefully: Where possible, stay somewhere with air conditioning or screened windows and doors. If sleeping outdoors, be sure to use a mosquito net.