The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued new guidance on avoiding malaria, with the Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro site publishing updated risk maps for 13 countries. This follows reports that several UK travellers die from malaria each year.
Countries on the malaria risk list
Travel Health Pro completed a review and published new risk maps for Belize, Botswana, Dominican Republic, Eswatini, French Guiana, India, Myanmar, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, and Sudan.
In 2023, 2,004 imported malaria cases were reported in the UK, up from 1,369 in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Most affected individuals had travelled to Africa, particularly visiting friends and relatives.
Symptoms and severe complications
Malaria is a serious febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted by mosquitoes. Non-specific symptoms include fever, sweats or chills, malaise, myalgia, diarrhoea, and cough.
Severe falciparum malaria can cause impaired consciousness, seizures, renal impairment, acidosis, hypoglycaemia, pulmonary oedema, spontaneous bleeding, shock, and haemoglobinuria.
Prevention advice
Travel Health Pro advises travellers to follow insect bite avoidance, including covering up with loose-fitting clothes, long sleeves, and trousers. Travellers should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur abroad or up to a year after return.
No preventive regimen is 100% effective, but a combination of measures gives significant protection. Choice of tablets depends on malaria species and drug resistance in the area.
