Malaria is a potentially serious parasitic infection transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most reported cases of malaria in the UK involve travel to Africa, mainly West Africa. In 2019, fifteen fatal malaria cases were reported in the UK.
Professionals and travellers to malaria risk areas should be aware that there will have been disruptions to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and surveillance, control and elimination programmes may not be as robust as they have been in previous years.
If travellers are visiting a malaria risk area, ensure you follow the important steps for malaria prevention. Remind all travellers that returning ‘friends and family’ can be most at risk as many will believe they have some immunity, which will not be the case.
A – Awareness of the malaria risk at your chosen destination
B – Bite prevention (GHTC provide a range of DEET and Picaridin products)
C – Chemoprophylaxis (use of appropriate malaria prevention tablets we stock branded and generic versions)
D – Diagnosis, if you develop symptoms of malaria you should seek prompt medical advice without delay
At Global Health Travel Clinic (GHTC) we provide, general travel information booklets and specific malaria prevention information to all our patients if required.