HPA advice on malaria prevention

6 July 2010

Dr Jane Jones, a travel health expert at the Health Protection Agency, said: "Malaria is a serious parasitic disease that occurs in tropical regions of the world and is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. More than 1,500 people are diagnosed with malaria in the UK each year, having acquired the disease abroad.

“The disease is most common in UK travellers visiting friends and family in malaria-risk countries, and in 2009 the majority of people who developed malaria had visited West Africa.

“It’s important to remember that malaria is preventable and there are a range of measures available for people to protect themselves. Anyone travelling to a malaria- risk country should seek appropriate advice from their GP or a specialist travel clinic before they travel and follow the advice given.

“The advice is the same for all travellers, and it’s a myth that people who have had malaria cannot get it again. Remember the ABC of malaria prevention; be Aware, use Bite avoidance measures and take Chemoprophylaxis (preventive tablets). You must take medication before, during and after your trip as well as anti-mosquito precautions while you are away to keep safe.

“Travellers returning from an area where malaria is common and who have symptoms – which include fever, headache, muscle pains, and sometimes diarrhoea and coughing - should seek medical advice promptly. Treatment for malaria will include a course of medication to kill parasites in the blood and might involve a stay in hospital. Children, the elderly and pregnant women are more likely to develop serious disease or to deteriorate rapidly.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

Mosquito bite avoidance

Malaria carrying mosquitoes are night biters. A combination of five different methods are recommended to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

1. Use of repellants - The Health Protection Agency’s Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention (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.

Chemoprophylaxis

There are a number of different types of chemoprophylaxis and travellers should speak to their health advisor for the method that is most suitable for them. It is recommended that people visit their doctor or travel health clinic well in advance of their departure date (ideally 6-8 weeks) but it is never too late to seek advice and start taking malaria precautions.

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

The HPA’s Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention in UK travellers has published guidelines for health professionals advising travellers which are available from the Publications section.

There are a number of myths about malaria prevention:

Herbal remedies - The ACMP strongly advises against relying on any herbal remedies for the prevention of malaria. Herbal remedies have not been tested for their ability to prevent or treat malaria.
Homoeopathy - The ACMP strongly advises against relying on any homoeopathic remedies for the prevention of malaria. There is no scientific proof that homoeopathic remedies are effective in either preventing or treating malaria.
Buzzers - Electronic buzzers (emitting high frequency sound waves) are completely ineffective as mosquito repellents.
Vitamin B1 - There is no evidence that vitamin B1 taken orally repels mosquitoes.
Garlic - There is no evidence that garlic taken orally repels mosquitoes.
Savoury yeast extract spread - There is no evidence that Marmite® taken orally repels mosquitoes either by giving off a cutaneous odour repellent to mosquitoes or via its vitamin B1 content.
Tea tree oil - There is no evidence that tea tree oil is an effective mosquito repellent.
Bath oils - There is no evidence that proprietary bath oils provide effective protection against mosquito bites.

For media enquiries only please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:

020 8327 7080 Louise Brown

020 8327 7097 Kathryn Swan

020 8327 7751 Eleanor Bunch

020 8327 6647 Emma Gilgunn-Jones

Last reviewed: 6 July 2010