The observed or calculated probability of the occurrence of an event, Xâe.g., toxic exposure, infection, etc.âin a population relative to its exposure to a specific hazard or pathogen. Absolute risk is risk stated without any context whatsoever.
Malaria is a serious infection. It is common in tropical countries such as parts of Africa, Asia and South America. Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium that lives in mosquitoes.
There are four species of malaria parasite that commonly infect humans. These are: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. In addition, a fifth species, P. knowlesi, is starting to draw public health attention as an infection in humans in south-east Asia, and particularly Borneo â previously, it was thought to only infect macaque monkeys.