Is malaria a serious disease to get nowadays?

Yes, still serious: Malaria symptoms show up a week to a few months after being infected by a mosquito bite. Fevers, chills, fatigue, swelling of the spleen, etc... Usually occur as red blood cells break apart. With treatment, the symptoms should go away in a couple of weeks. However, without treatment, and depending on the type of malaria, an infected person can have symptoms for a few years, up to a few decades.

Yes: Malaria is a very serious and sometimes fatal disease. Always check to see if malaria is in an area you are traveling to and seek out med care prior to your trip.