Plasmodium ovale is an uncommon type of malarial parasite. The commonest type is Plasmodium vivax. The other types include Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium malariae. Some of the symptoms of P. ovale includes 48 hours fever, headache and nausea. Its called ‘ovale’ because some of the parasitized cells (about 20%) become ovale in shape. The parasite doesn’t usually cause severe illness. This malaria type is endemic to tropical West Africa.