Malaria transmission peaks at much cooler temperatures than previously predicted
Thursday, October 25, 2012 - 14:30
in Biology & Nature
The most deadly type of malaria in humans and the one most prevalent in Africa is one that is very sensitive to climate. Previously published scientific studies put the optimal temperature for malaria transmission from mosquitos to humans at 31 degrees C (88 degrees F), but according to a new mathematical model, the temperature for peak transmission of the parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is much, much lower.