Malaria cases in Greece

23 August 2011

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been made aware that since June 2011 six cases of malaria have been reported in Greece. All six cases were seen in people who had no history of travel to a country where malaria is common. Five of these cases were in Greek adults and one was in a Roma child. This is the third consecutive year that small numbers of cases have been reported in Greece as a result of local transmission. 

The Greek authorities have responded to this situation by establishing enhanced surveillance of malaria in the areas where the cases have been identified (the districts of Laconia in the south and Evoia in the east), and intensifying local mosquito control programmes. Awareness has also been raised among local doctors, and a large scale communication campaign for personal protection against mosquito bites has been implemented for the local population.

Professor David Hill, Director of the HPA's National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) said: "The risk to holiday makers of catching malaria while in Greece remains extremely low, so there is no need to take anti-malarials when visiting this country, but travellers should take measures to prevent being bitten.

"We already advise people travelling to Greece to prevent insect bites to protect against another mosquito-borne infection caused by West Nile virus. This can cause a nervous system disease and over 200 cases were reported in Greece last year. The recent cases of malaria in Greece reinforce the importance of taking precautions against being bitten while on holiday."

Dr Jane Jones, a travel health expert at the HPA, said: "Although the risk of catching malaria while in Greece is extremely low it's important that travellers returning from affected areas seek medical advice promptly if they experience symptoms of malaria, which include fever, headache, and muscle pains. The HPA is also advising health professionals to consider mosquito borne illnesses in travellers returning from Greece with relevant symptoms and ensure they are tested appropriately.

"The HPA and NaTHNaC will continue to monitor the situation in Greece closely and will offer any further advice to health professionals and the general public accordingly."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

To view the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) Risk Assessment on 'Autochthonous Plasmodium vivax malaria in Greece' visit: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications/Publications/Forms/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?ID=720

Mosquito bite avoidance

Travellers should be aware that the different species of mosquitoes that carry either malaria or West Nile virus both predominately bite during the evening and night. A combination of five different methods is recommended to protect from mosquito bites:

1. Use of repellents – The Health Protection Agency's Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention in UK Travellers (ACMP) strongly recommends DEET-based insect repellents as these are the most effective.

2. Insecticide – These should be used to kill any resting mosquitoes in a room.

3. Use of nets – If sleeping outdoors or in unscreened accommodation, insecticide-treated mosquito nets should be used. Mosquito bed nets must be free of tears and should be tucked in under the mattress. Those that are impregnated with insecticide can provide extra protection.

4. Clothing – Where possible, cover up with long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothing, long trousers and socks if out of doors after sunset, to minimise accessibility to skin for biting mosquitoes. Cotton clothing can be sprayed with DEET.

5. Room protection – Air conditioning reduces the likelihood of mosquito bite as a result of substantial reduction in night time temperature. Ceiling fans can also reduce mosquito nuisance. Doors, windows and other possible mosquito entry routes to sleeping accommodation should be screened with fine mesh netting which must be close-fitting and free from tears.

An information sheet on insect bite avoidance, updates on other travel health issues, and country specific health advice are available on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website at www.nathnac.org

Further information on malaria for travellers abroad can be found on the HPA website

The ACMP has published guidelines for health professionals advising travellers.

The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.  It does this by providing advice and information to the general public, to health professionals such as doctors and nurses, and to national and local government. To find out more, visit our website: www.hpa.org.uk

For more information please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 020 8327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk. Out of hours the duty press officer can be contacted on 020 8200 4400.

Last reviewed: 23 August 2011