Malaria
Organism, Causative Agent, or Etiologic Agent
Malaria ICD-9 084.0; ICD-10 B50-B54
(Quartan malaria, Falciparum malaria, Biduoterian fever, Blackwater fever, Tertian malaria, Jungle fever, marsh fever, paludal fever)
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. Symptoms usually begin 7 to 30 days after infection. Four different types of malaria can affect people, all with very similar symptoms. The most severe type is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, it can be rapidly fatal and is responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths.
Malaria produces fever, headache, vomiting, shaking chills, and other flu-like symptoms. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the destruction of red blood cells. If drugs are not available for treatment or the parasites are resistant to them, the infection can progress rapidly and become life-threatening.
General Information and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Mailing Address
Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section
Mail Code: 3082
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
United States
Physical Address
Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section
Moreton Building, Suite M-631
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3199
United States