Malaria Facts

With travel to long-haul destinations becoming more accessible and last minute bookings to exotic places on the rise, UK travellers are increasingly at risk of contracting diseases such as malaria. Travellers need to know the facts.

How does malaria affect UK travellers?

• Every year approximately 2,000 British travellers return home with malaria and the UK is one of the biggest importers of malaria among industrialised countries.
• British travellers are increasingly going to countries where malaria is prevalent; there has been about a 190% increase in travel to malarious destinations amongst British travellers in the last ten years.

How dangerous is malaria?

• The most severe form of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) is on the increase amongst British travellers.
• Malaria is a preventable infection but can be fatal if left untreated - an average of nine people die each year from malaria in the UK.
• Malaria is transmitted by an infected mosquito. It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to contract malaria.

How can I protect myself?

• You are at risk when travelling to malarious areas if you do not take precautions to prevent yourself from being bitten and also if you do not take antimalarials. You should ideally seek advice from a healthcare professional eight weeks before you travel but can still seek advice at the last minute. Some advice/protection is better than none.
• There are different forms of antimalarials available - the appropriate health care professional (GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic) will be able to advise on the most suitable one for you.
• Wherever you go, enjoy yourself, but make sure you are malaria aware.

How malaria spreads >