Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The parasite can be spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. There are many different types of plasmodium parasite, but only 5 types cause malaria in humans.

Is the malaria virus a pathogen?

Malaria parasites in humans are all classified in the subgenera Plasmodium and Laverania. Four are well-characterized, strict human pathogens (e.g. P. falciparum, P. vivax, P.

Is malaria caused by a bacterial pathogen?

A: Malaria is not caused by a virus or bacteria. Malaria is caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium, which is normally spread through infected mosquitoes. A mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected human, taking in Plasmodia which are in the blood.