Which mosquito is known to carry malaria?

The Anopheles mosquito is well-documented as the primary vector for malaria transmission. This genus of mosquito has several species that are specifically capable of harboring and transmitting the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, to humans through their bites. When an infected female Anopheles mosquito feeds on a person, it injects saliva that contains the parasite, thereby facilitating the infection. Understanding this relationship is crucial for malaria prevention and control strategies, especially in regions where malaria is endemic.

Other mosquito types listed do not play a role in transmitting malaria. For example, the Aedes mosquito is known for transmitting diseases like dengue fever and Zika virus but not malaria. Culex mosquitoes are primarily vectors for West Nile virus and various forms of encephalitis. The Tsé-tsé fly, although a dangerous vector for diseases like sleeping sickness, is unrelated to malaria transmission. Therefore, recognizing the specific vectors is essential in the context of disease prevention efforts and public health initiatives.