Protect yourself against Malaria this summer

28 July 2009

Every year, up to 2000 cases of imported malaria occur in those who have visited malarious countries, with about eight associated deaths a year. The majority of infections occur in UK travellers visiting friends and family in Africa. This was 72% of all cases in 2007. Many cases occur after the summer holidays when people return home from travelling abroad.

Professor Peter Chiodini, who heads up the Agency's Malaria Reference Laboratory, said:
"It is a common misconception that people who were born in places where malaria is rife and who now live in the UK, have immunity to malaria. This is not the case because they very quickly lose the partial immunity they might have acquired whilst they lived there, and people born in the UK will have no immunity against malaria.

"It is particularly important people are aware that they are at risk of this serious illness if they do not follow advice on malaria prevention."

Martha Osamor from the Nigerian Organisation of Women, and Justice Acungwire from AHEAD (African Health for Empowerment and Development) gave the following advice:

"If you're going abroad to visit friends and family it's extremely important you take the appropriate drugs and other preventative measures to prevent mosquito bites. Don't ruin your holiday and expose you and your family to malaria.

"Malaria is preventable - anyone travelling to a place where malaria is found needs to speak with their GP surgery or a specialist travel clinic before they travel and follow the advice given.

"The advice is the same for all UK travellers - you must take anti-mosquito precautions and medication to keep you and your family safe".

What to do if you're planning a trip abroad to visit friends and family living in a malarious county

• Use of appropriate preventative medication greatly reduces the risk of infections but the full course must be taken so that all parasites are cleared from the blood. Book an appointment with the practice nurse at your surgery before you travel to get the tablets
• Be aware of the risk of malaria and avoid being bitten. Although many homes in urban areas may be well protected against mosquitoes, those in rural areas may be less so and there may be more mosquitoes around. Make sure you put on insect repellent and cover your arms and legs when sitting outside in the evening, especially after dusk
• If you do become unwell after returning from a malarious area, seek medical advice immediately. Malaria can quickly turn from what seems to be a minor illness into one which is much more serious. Make sure you say that you have been travelling to a malarious country and mention needing a blood test for malaria
• Be aware of the symptoms of malaria - which include a flu-like illness, fever, shaking, headache, muscle aches and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur

The Black Health Agency, the Ernest Foundation, the Nigerian Public Health Network and African Women's Care, together with HPA London's Health Protection Unit malaria leads (Dr Margie Meltzer, Penny Neave, Dr Barry Walsh, and Dr Srimalini Nadarajah) are all endorsing the advice.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1) There are several different types of malaria and the data show that there has been a steady rise in the proportion of cases due to Plasmodium falciparum, which is the cause of most deaths from malaria. This type of malaria was most commonly seen in people who had been to West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana. The majority of other cases of malaria were Plasmodium vivax and these are mainly seen in people who have been to South Asia.

2) Malaria is the world's second biggest killer after tuberculosis. Around 300 million clinical cases occur each year resulting in between 1.5 - 2.7 million deaths annually, the majority in sub-Saharan Africa. 

3) Media enquiries to Katherine Lewis, Regional Communications Manager - HPA London, on 020 7759 2824 or katherine.lewis@hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 28 July 2009