Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are common throughout the world. Mosquitoes contract infectious diseases when they bite animals. These mosquitoes then become infected and transmit the disease to humans. Many serious illnesses such as West Nile virus, malaria, Rift Valley fever, and dog heartworm can be transmitted by infected mosquitoes (day 7). Malaria is a serious, sometimes fatal disease common in third world countries. Malaria is a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes (Mayo Clinic Staff). Mosquitoes are infected with parasites (Malaria WebMD). Malaria symptoms usually appear a few weeks after the bite, but in some cases they may go unnoticed for an extended period of time (Mayo Clinic staff). Symptoms of malaria include chills, fever, heavy sweating, and headache (Mayo Clinic Staff). Malaria is widespread in Africa, South Asia, Central America, and South America (Malaria WebMD). Malaria is caused by different variants of the parasite called Plasmodium. Two of these parasites are called Plasmodium Malariae and Plasmodium Falciparum. Some other variants of this parasite are Plasmodium Vivax and Plasmodium Ovale. There are medications for malaria. The most common drug used to treat malaria is chloroquine. Recently, Plasmodium Falciparum, the parasite that causes Falciparum malaria, was found to be resistant to chloroquine. This new development of the parasite has prompted scientists and doctors to research and develop new drugs against malaria. Artimisinin combination therapy is common in India. In artimisinin combination therapy, drugs atovaquonone, proguanil and drug-resistant reversers are used to cure malaria in the patient. Use ......middle of paper ......Works CitedDay, Nancy. Malaria, West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, 2001. 1. Print. “Malaria: Frequently Asked Questions”. The Earth Institute at Columbia University. Np, and Web. April 20, 2014. “Malaria.” Doctors Without Borders. Np, May 2, 2013. Web. April 20, 2014. “Malaria.” WebMD. WebMD, April 11, 2013. Web. April 16, 2014. Mayo Clinic Staff. Mayo Clinic. Np, January 25, 2013. Web. April 17, 2014. .Sampath, Pavitra. The health site. Np, January 25, 2013. Web. April 17. 2014. .