Malaria

Malaria is a common and serious tropical disease. It is a protozoan infection transmitted by mosquitos biting mostly between sunset and sunrise. The risk of malaria infection is becoming increasingly serious: each year many travellers fall ill with malaria while visiting countries where the disease is endemic, and well over 10,000 fall ill on return to their home countries. About 1% of patients with P.falciparum infection die. Most of these deaths could be prevented by earlier diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Initial symptoms can often be mild, and that malaria should be expected if, one week after entry into an endemic area, you suffer unexplained fever with or without other symptoms such as Headache Muscular aching and weakness Vomiting Diarrhoea Cough Prompt medical advice must be sought

4 Principles for preventing Malaria

• Be aware of the risk - learn the symptoms and know the incubation time
• Avoid being bitten by mosquitos - Protect yourself
• Take your drugs where appropriate - this includes after you have left the malarial region
• Seek early diagnosis and treatment

Further Information

• Risks
• Stand by Emergency Treatment
• Long term & Frequent travellers



• Is there a good alternative to standard antimalarial medication? - Ask the doctor

Web Links

• Malaria Drug Information - from MASTA, UK
• Malaria Prevention in Travelers - American Academy of Family Physicians
• Malaria in Southern Africa - a general guide

Travellers View

• To Lariam or not to Lariam [Mefloquine] - Learn more about this hot topic