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Transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito, Malaria
is a common, potentially fatal parasitic disease that is present in
around 100 countries - mainly in Africa, South America, Asia and the
Pacific. There are four strains of Malaria (the most severe being caused
by Plasmodium falciparum) and transmission occurs mainly between sunset
and sunrise. There is no vaccine; only preventative anti-malaria drugs
and bite avoidance.
Malaria remains a
major problem in the world’s tropical regions.
As many as 250 million new cases occur world-wide annually. Each year
more than 1 million people die from malaria in Africa and thousands of
cases are recorded among travellers.
Malaria checklist
When considering the risks of malaria it’s important to:
- Know the
malaria-infected areas of any countries to be visited.
- Be familiar
with all the insect bite-avoidance measures available - and practice
them.
- Seek medical
advice prior to travel regarding anti-malarial (prevention)
medication options, including how to take medication so as to
maximise its effectiveness and minimise any possible side-effects.
For some travellers, malaria treatment medication may be recommended
to treat the disease if adequate medical facilities may not always
be available.
- Seek medical
attention promptly if malaria infection is suspected - even if you
have been taking anti-malaria medication.
Further information on the following topics is available on this site and
during your pre-travel Travelvax consultation:
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