Five cases of the mosquito-borne infection malaria have been detected in the United States in the past two months, marking the first local spread in the country in 20 years. Here are five things you should know about malaria. 1. Malaria is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. 2. The most common early symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headaches, nausea, although this may be mild for some people especially if you have had a malaria infection before. Some types are severe, and those at risk of severe disease are infants, children under 5 years, pregnant wome, travellers, people with HIV/AIDS. 3. Malaria is preventable and controllable: You prevent malaria by avoiding mosquito bites and taking certain medicines. There are several strategies to prevent people from getting malaria including avoiding mosquito bites by using insecticide-treated mosquito nets; repellants, co...