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Does malaria affect the Premiership?

Did you know that many of the top footballers in England are from malarious countries?

Many players come from areas where malaria is common, such as Africa. These players, like many other people who return to their home country to visit friends and relatives, should be malaria aware. This is because although they may have grown up in an area with malaria and may even have had the disease before, any natural protection they may have from malaria fades after six months of leaving.


Loman Lua Lua contracted malaria

Portsmouth - Loman Lua Lua

A skilful forward with plenty of pace and power who invariably performs a string of acrobatic backflips upon scoring! Even as a fit and healthy footballer he was reported to have contracted malaria in September 2005. His club reported that he could be out of action for anything up to six weeks.

Didier Zokora contracted malaria

Tottenham Hotspur - Didier Zokora

This hard tackling midfielder, regarded as one of the best going into the World Cup, made the news headlines contracting malaria in October 2006 - he was reported as out of action for two weeks while his team travelled to Turkey for a cup tie. He missed a number of games before making a full recovery.

Some Arsenal team members come from melarious countries

Arsenal

While Arsenal players have not been reported to have contracted malaria, some have spoken out about the need for African families to protect their children against malaria. Kolo Toure, born in the Ivory Coast and a defender for Arsenal has spoken about the importance of using mosquito nets. Many of Toure's team members are also from malarious destinations, such as Eboue and Djouroy who were born in the Ivory Coast.



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VCG/WEB/08/34723/1 April 2008