Question: What is the most dangerous parasite?

Marisol Collins answered on 10 Nov 2016:

This is a really good question. Different scientists may give different answers, but I think that the most dangerous parasite out there is malaria. Why? Because so many people around the world are at risk of getting it at any moment. Did you know that nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of getting malaria? It is a tiny blood parasite that infects people when they are bitten by a mosquito that has the parasite too. It causes a really nasty illness with a terrible fever, and it can kill many, many people each year, particularly in parts of Africa. In parts of the world that have severe malaria, scientists are working hard to find ways to prevent people from becoming infected, using medications, controlling mosquitos and preventing bites from them with things like bed nets and repellents. This is great and important work that can save many lives.