Malaria is caused by a microscopic parasite transmitted by female mosquitoes when they bite.  There are four species of malaria parasite, of which Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous.  Infection with P. falciparum can lead to cerebral malaria and death.

Malaria usually starts as a fever and the patient feels very unwell.  Other symptoms may include diarrhoea, headache or a cough.

In some areas malaria is very common.  Locals may seem to have a more relaxed attitude to malaria than at home in the UK.  However it is important to realise that malaria treatments in these areas are less effective than those in the UK, and that in these areas people continue to die from malaria.  Malaria remains the commonest cause of death by infectious disease worldwide.

In a malarious area, all illnesses with fever should be considered to be malaria until proven otherwise.  Seek medical help as soon as you can if you become ill with these symptoms, particularly if you have been bitten.

Check carefully the areas to which you wish to travel and if malaria is present take action (avoidance of bites, anti-malarial treatments) to reduce the risk.

Do not be complacent.

The mosquitoes which transmit malaria bite mainly at night, but this can be any time from dusk onwards and even just after dawn.  It is essential to do everything you can to avoid being bitten as avoidance of bites is the most effective way to avoid catching malaria.  Read more in our section Staying Healthy Whilst Abroad.

Avoidance of bites is an essential part of reducing your risk of malaria, and is much more effective than anti-malarial treatments alone.

It is essential to take appropriate anti-malarial treatment.  Guidance on which tablets to take for a destination varies from time to time.  It is therefore important to seek up-to-date advice via our Travel Clinic.  Please also read out leaflet on Antimalarials prior to your travel clinic appointment.

Some tablets (e.g. chloroquine) can be bought over the counter in the pharmacy but others are only available on prescription.  Years of use of antimalarials have lead to the development of resistance to some treatments in some areas.  Travel into these areas is likely to require prescription-only medication as the over-the-counter medications no longer provide effective cover.  Do not take over-the-counter tablets if prescription-only treatments have been advised.

Compliance (taking the full course of treatment) is essential.  Most deaths occur in those who take the drugs irregularly or not at all.  The course often includes doses before and after travel into the malaria area.  Missing tablets during these periods severely reduces the effectiveness of the protection.

Equally, do not rely on insect repellent and mosquito nets alone if you have been advised to take anti-malarial treatment as well.  All forms of protection are important.

Even with the best prevention it is still possible to get malaria.  Travellers to a malarious area should have a high index of suspicion.  Report any unexplained illness with symptoms such as fever, headache, malaise, muscle aches and fatigue.

Malaria can occur up to two years after being bitten by an infected mosquito.  If you become unwell with fever up to 2 years after returning from a malarious area, see your GP and tell him/her you have travelled abroad.