Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, and body aches, often resembling the flu. Without timely treatment, malaria can be life-threatening, especially the P. falciparum species, which can lead to severe complications like cerebral malaria and death.