Dengue and Malaria are mosquito-borne diseases causing heavy global burden. According to the World Health Organization, Dengue infects 100-400 million people annually, while Malaria recorded 229 million cases in 2019. Both spread through specific mosquito species but Difference Between Dengue and Malaria lies in cause, symptoms, transmission and complications.
Difference Between Dengue and Malaria
Difference Between Dengue and Malaria is based on causative agent, vector behavior, incubation, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and complications as highlighted below:
| Difference Between Dengue and Malaria | ||
|
Aspect |
Dengue |
Malaria |
|
Causative Agent |
Caused by Dengue virus (DENV), a tropical viral infection. |
Caused by Plasmodium protozoan parasite infecting red blood cells. |
|
Vector |
Spread by Aedes aegypti mosquito, active during daytime. |
Spread by female Anopheles mosquito, mainly bites at night. |
|
Transmission Mode |
Mainly through infected mosquito bite. |
Also due to Mosquito bite |
|
Incubation Period |
Symptoms appear within 3-14 days after bite. |
Fever begins 9-14 days post mosquito bite. |
|
Regions Affected |
Predominantly urban areas of Africa, Americas, Southeast Asia. |
Mostly rural in Sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, South America (Amazon Basin), Southeast Asia (India, Indonesia), parts of the Middle East and Oceania. |
|
Fever Pattern |
Sudden high fever with headache and rashes. |
Cyclic fever with chills, sweating, periodic spikes. |
|
Symptoms |
Burning eyes, gum bleeding, limb rashes. |
Vomiting, dry cough, fainting, recurrent chills. |
|
Diagnosis |
Confirmed through antigen and antibody blood tests. |
Diagnosed by microscopic blood smear examination. |
|
Treatment |
Supportive care; fluid management essential. |
Treated with anti-Malarial drugs |
|
Severe Complications |
Dengue hemorrhagic fever may affect heart and lungs. |
Kidney failure, liver dysfunction, lung fluid retention. |
|
Initiatives to Eradicate |
World Mosquito Program used Wolbachia strategy in Indonesia, reducing cases by 77% in 27 months; Dengvaxia approved in 2019 for eligible endemic populations. |
World Malaria Day observed on 25 April; WHO Global Malaria Programme launched 2015; India runs NMCP 1953, NVBDCP 2003, MERA-India 2019 and National Strategic Plan targeting zero transmission by 2030. |
Also Read: Communicable Diseases
Last updated on February, 2026
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Difference Between Dengue and Malaria FAQs
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