Malaria is one of the most familiar illnesses in Ghana. Nearly everyone has had it, knows someone who has had it, or has cared for a child or relative suffering from it. It is so common that some people treat it as a routine inconvenience — an illness to be endured, not understood.
Yet malaria is not a minor matter. It remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Ghana, particularly among children under five and pregnant women. Understanding how malaria spreads is the first step to protecting yourself and your family.
This Accra Daily Mail article explains how malaria is transmitted, how the malaria parasite works in the body, where and when transmission is most likely, and what you can do to reduce your risk. It is written for ordinary Ghanaians who want clear, accurate information without medical jargon.
Quick Facts
-
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
-
Malaria is not spread through casual contact, sharing food, or breathing the same air as an infected person.
-
The mosquito that transmits malaria typically bites at night, between dusk and dawn.
-
The malaria parasite travels to the liver after entering the bloodstream, then multiplies and infects red blood cells.
-
Symptoms usually appear 7 to 30 days after an infected mosquito bite.
-
Malaria can be severe and fatal if not treated promptly, especially in children and pregnant women.
-
Prevention includes sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and removing mosquito breeding sites.
What Causes Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite, not by a virus or bacteria. The parasite belongs to a group called Plasmodium. Several species of Plasmodium can infect humans, but the most common and most dangerous in Ghana is Plasmodium falciparum.
The parasite cannot survive on its own in the environment. It must live inside a host — either a human or a mosquito. The disease is transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a person and injects the parasite into the bloodstream.
It is important to be clear: malaria is not caused by cold weather, by standing in the sun, by eating certain foods, or by stress. These are common beliefs, but they are not accurate. Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes.
The Role of the Mosquito
Not all mosquitoes transmit malaria. The responsible mosquito belongs to a specific genus called Anopheles. In Ghana, several Anopheles species are involved in transmission.
Only female Anopheles mosquitoes bite. They need blood to develop their eggs. When a female mosquito bites a person who has malaria, she ingests the parasites along with the blood. The parasites develop and multiply inside the mosquito over a period of about 10 to 14 days. When the mosquito bites another person, she injects the parasites along with her saliva.
The mosquito is not simply a flying needle. It is a necessary part of the parasite’s life cycle. Without the mosquito, the parasite cannot spread from person to person. This is why malaria control focuses so heavily on reducing mosquito bites and mosquito breeding.
How the Parasite Works in the Body
Once the malaria parasite enters the human body through a mosquito bite, it goes through several stages.
The Liver Stage
The parasites first travel to the liver. There, they invade liver cells and multiply quietly. This stage lasts about one to two weeks, depending on the species. During this time, the infected person usually has no symptoms.
The Blood Stage
After multiplying in the liver, the parasites are released into the bloodstream. They invade red blood cells, where they continue to multiply. The red blood cells eventually burst, releasing more parasites into the blood to infect more red blood cells.
It is this cycle of red blood cell destruction that causes the classic symptoms of malaria: fever, chills, sweating, headache, body aches, and fatigue.
The Cycle of Fever
The fever in malaria often comes in cycles because the parasites burst out of red blood cells in synchronised waves. When a wave of parasites is released, the body reacts with fever and chills. The cycle repeats as new parasites mature and burst.
How Malaria Is Transmitted — and How It Is Not
How It Spreads
Malaria spreads through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The mosquito must have previously bitten a person carrying malaria parasites. The parasite then develops inside the mosquito before it can infect a new person.
This means that for malaria to spread, three things must be present:
-
An infected human carrying the parasite
-
An Anopheles mosquito capable of transmitting the parasite
-
A susceptible human whom the infected mosquito bites
Break any link in this chain, and transmission stops.
How It Does Not Spread
Malaria does not spread through:
-
Casual contact, such as shaking hands or hugging
-
Sharing food, water, or utensils
-
Breathing the same air as an infected person
-
Sexual contact
-
Touching an infected person’s bedclothes or clothing
These are important clarifications, because many people avoid malaria patients unnecessarily. Malaria is not contagious in the way a cold or flu is. You cannot catch it simply by being near someone who has it.
Exceptions
In rare cases, malaria can be transmitted without a mosquito bite. These include:
-
Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or childbirth
-
Blood transfusion from an infected donor
-
Organ transplantation from an infected donor
These are uncommon in Ghana, but they are real. The primary mode of transmission is, and remains, the mosquito bite.
When Transmission Happens
Anopheles mosquitoes are most active at night, between dusk and dawn. This is why sleeping under an insecticide-treated net is one of the most effective prevention measures — it protects you during the hours when the mosquito is most likely to bite.
The timing is not absolute. Some species bite earlier in the evening or later in the morning, but the peak risk is at night.
This is also why prevention messages emphasise the importance of using nets every night, not just occasionally. One unprotected night is enough to get bitten.
Where Transmission Happens
Malaria transmission occurs wherever Anopheles mosquitoes can breed and survive. The mosquitoes breed in standing water — puddles, ponds, gutters, discarded containers, and other places where water collects.
This means the risk is higher in areas with:
-
Standing water that is not drained
-
Poor sanitation and drainage
-
Bushes and vegetation near homes
-
Housing without window screens or nets
Both urban and rural areas in Ghana are affected, though the intensity of transmission can vary. In general, rural areas with more breeding sites and less access to prevention measures have higher transmission. But urban areas are not exempt, especially in neighbourhoods with poor drainage and standing water.
Why Children and Pregnant Women Are at Higher Risk
Children under five and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to severe malaria.
Children
Young children have not yet developed the partial immunity that comes from repeated exposure. Their bodies are less able to fight the parasite. Severe malaria can progress rapidly in children, leading to anaemia, convulsions, coma, and death.
Pregnant Women
Pregnancy changes the immune system, making women more susceptible to malaria. Malaria in pregnancy can cause maternal anaemia, miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight. That is why intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women is a key part of Ghana’s malaria control strategy.
The Symptoms of Malaria
The symptoms of malaria usually appear within 7 to 30 days after an infected mosquito bite. In some cases, symptoms can be delayed.
Common symptoms include:
-
Fever
-
Chills and shivering
-
Sweating
-
Headache
-
Body aches and joint pain
-
Fatigue and weakness
-
Nausea and vomiting
-
Loss of appetite
Severe malaria can cause:
-
Confusion or drowsiness
-
Convulsions
-
Severe anaemia
-
Difficulty breathing
-
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
-
Dark urine
-
Loss of consciousness
Severe malaria is a medical emergency. It requires immediate treatment.
What to Do If You Suspect Malaria
If you or someone you care for has symptoms of malaria, seek medical attention promptly.
Malaria is diagnosed with a blood test — either a rapid diagnostic test or a microscopic examination of a blood sample. Do not assume you have malaria based on symptoms alone, and do not self-treat without a test, where testing is available.
Prompt, effective treatment with recommended antimalarial medicines can cure malaria and prevent complications. Delays in treatment can be dangerous, especially for children and pregnant women.
How to Prevent Malaria
Prevention is better than cure. The main strategies are:
Sleep Under Insecticide-Treated Nets
Sleeping under an insecticide-treated net every night is one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria. The net creates a physical barrier and the insecticide kills or repels mosquitoes. Nets should be used in all seasons, not just during the rainy season.
Indoor Residual Spraying
Indoor residual spraying involves applying insecticide to the walls of houses. Mosquitoes that rest on the walls after feeding are killed. This reduces the mosquito population and interrupts transmission.
Remove Breeding Sites
Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Clear gutters, drain puddles, cover water containers, and remove discarded items that collect water. Reducing breeding sites reduces the number of mosquitoes around your home.
Protect Yourself in the Evening
Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening, use mosquito repellent, and ensure windows and doors are screened where possible.
Seek Prompt Treatment
An infected person who is treated promptly is less likely to pass the parasite to mosquitoes. Early treatment is part of prevention, because it breaks the chain of transmission.
Preventive Treatment for Vulnerable Groups
Pregnant women receive intermittent preventive treatment during antenatal care. Children in high-transmission areas may receive seasonal malaria chemoprevention. These measures reduce the burden of disease in the most vulnerable groups.
Common Misconceptions
“Malaria is caused by cold weather”
No. Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. Cold weather does not cause malaria, though changes in weather can affect mosquito breeding.
“Malaria is contagious”
No. Malaria does not spread through casual contact. You cannot catch it by being near someone who has it.
“If I have fever, it must be malaria”
Fever can be caused by many conditions. A blood test is the only reliable way to confirm malaria. Do not assume.
“Sleeping under a net is only for children”
Everyone is at risk of malaria. Adults should sleep under nets too, especially in high-transmission areas.
“If I have had malaria before, I cannot get it again”
You can get malaria again. Repeated infections are common. Partial immunity may reduce the severity, but it does not prevent infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after a mosquito bite do malaria symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually appear within 7 to 30 days. In some cases, they can appear earlier or be delayed.
Can malaria be transmitted through blood transfusion?
Yes, though this is rare in Ghana. Blood donors are screened for malaria in many settings.
What is the most dangerous type of malaria?
Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous species and is the most common in Ghana. It can cause severe, life-threatening illness.
Can I prevent malaria without using a net?
Nets are the most effective prevention tool, but other measures help: removing breeding sites, using repellents, and seeking prompt treatment.
Is malaria treatment free in Ghana?
Many public health facilities provide malaria treatment at subsidised rates, and some programmes provide free treatment for vulnerable groups. Check with your local health facility.
What should I do if my child has fever?
Take the child to a health facility for testing and treatment. Do not delay. Severe malaria in children can worsen quickly.
Can pregnant women take malaria medication?
Yes. There are safe and recommended treatments for malaria in pregnancy. Pregnant women should seek care from qualified health professionals and attend antenatal clinics.
What to Remember
Malaria is a serious disease, but it is preventable and treatable. It is caused by a parasite transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It is not caused by cold weather, and it is not spread by casual contact.
The most important things you can do are simple: sleep under an insecticide-treated net, clear standing water around your home, seek prompt testing and treatment if you have symptoms, and protect the most vulnerable — children and pregnant women.
Understanding how malaria spreads is the first step to controlling it. The next step is action. Every net used, every puddle drained, every case treated promptly brings Ghana closer to a future with less malaria.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified health professional about your individual health needs.
Source: The Accra Daily Mail
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
