Simon Reeve's guide to travelling in Malarious areas

Malaria Facts

With travel to long-haul destinations becoming more accessible, UK travellers are increasingly at risk of contracting diseases such as malaria. Travellers need to know the facts.

How does malaria affect UK travellers?

  • Between 1990 - 2009, every year approximately 1,800 British travellers return home with malaria.1 The UK is one of the biggest importers of malaria in Europe.6
  • The number of trips made abroad by UK residents was 5.90 million in October 2008.7

How dangerous is malaria?

  • The most severe form of malaria (plasmodium falciparum) accounted for 79% of cases amongst British travellers in 2009.1
  • 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.1
  • Malaria is transmitted by an infected mosquito. It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to contract malaria.3

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.