What is malaria? Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito. It is still a major cause of ill-health and death in many tropical and subtropical areas. As travel to such countries is increasing so are the numbers of people suffering from malaria. Every year over 2000 people who return to the UK after being abroad are infected with malaria. How does it spread? The mosquito becomes infected when it bites and feeds from an already infected person. The parasite develops in the mosquito, and after about one week it is transmitted in the saliva to a new host. Most species feed at dusk and during early night hours; some have biting peaks around midnight or the early hours of the morning. There are four different types which infect humans. They are known as Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. The most serious disease is caused by P. falciparum and is potentially fatal. An average of nine people die each year in the UK as a result of malaria, and this is largely preventable. How can it be prevented? A wareness: know about the risk of malaria. Discuss travel plans with your GP well in advance. B ites by mosquitoes: prevent or avoid • Use mosquito repellents. Insect repellents containing over 30% DEET are effective and should be applied to exposed skin. • Impregnating cotton garments with 30ml DEET in 250ml of water makes them repellent • Refined lemon eucalyptus oil on the skin also repels mosquitoes • Wear long-sleeved garments, long trousers and socks after sunset • In rural areas sleep under a bed net, preferably impregnated with pyrethrum; ensure it is long enough to tuck under the mattress. • Synthetic pyrethroids should be vapourised overnight. C hemoprophylaxis.There are many types of anti-malarial tablets, and the choice will depend upon to which country you are travelling. It is essential to check with your GP or travel clinic. • It is important to start taking the tablets 1-3 weeks before travel, and to continue for four weeks after return • Take antimalarials at regular intervals, after meals and with water to minimise side effects D iagnose and treat promptly. Seek medical attention in the event of a fever during and up to one year after travel to a malarious area. Ensure that your doctor is aware of past travel. What are the symptoms? The incubation period can vary between 7 and 30 days depending upon the type. Occasionally symptoms may not appear for months, but can include: ♦ Flu like symptoms ♦ Fever/chills/sweats ♦ Cough ♦ Diarrhoea ♦ Headache ♦ Aching joints and muscles
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Microsoft Word - Leaflet Malaria.docWhat is malaria?
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito. It is still a major cause of ill-health and death in many tropical and subtropical areas. As travel to such countries is increasing so are the numbers of people suffering from malaria. Every year over 2000 people who return to the UK after being abroad are infected with malaria.
How does it spread?
The mosquito becomes infected when it bites and feeds from an already infected person. The parasite develops in the mosquito, and after about one week it is transmitted in the saliva to a new host. Most species feed at dusk and during early night hours; some have biting peaks around midnight or the early hours of the morning. There are four different types which infect humans. They are known as Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. The most serious disease is caused by P. falciparum and is potentially fatal.
An average of nine people die each year in the UK as a result of malaria, and this is largely preventable. How can it be prevented? Awareness: know about the risk of
malaria. Discuss travel plans with your GP well in advance.
Bites by mosquitoes: prevent or
avoid • Use mosquito repellents. Insect
repellents containing over 30% DEET are effective and should be applied to exposed skin.
• Impregnating cotton garments with 30ml DEET in 250ml of water makes them repellent
• Refined lemon eucalyptus oil on the skin also repels mosquitoes
• Wear long-sleeved garments, long trousers and socks after sunset
• In rural areas sleep under a bed net, preferably impregnated with pyrethrum; ensure it is long enough to tuck under the mattress.
• Synthetic pyrethroids should be vapourised overnight.
Chemoprophylaxis.There are many
types of anti-malarial tablets, and the choice will depend upon to which country you are travelling. It
is essential to check with your GP or travel clinic. • It is important to start taking the
tablets 1-3 weeks before travel, and to continue for four weeks after return
• Take antimalarials at regular intervals, after meals and with water to minimise side effects
Diagnose and treat promptly. Seek
medical attention in the event of a fever during and up to one year after travel to a malarious area. Ensure that your doctor is aware of past travel.
What are the symptoms? The incubation period can vary between 7 and 30 days depending upon the type. Occasionally symptoms may not appear for months, but can include: ♦ Flu like symptoms ♦ Fever/chills/sweats ♦ Cough ♦ Diarrhoea ♦ Headache ♦ Aching joints and muscles
In travellers who develop fever or
flu-like illness within three months
after possible exposure to malaria
the need for prompt medical
treatment cannot be
Health Policy NHS Highland Assynt House
Beechwood Park Inverness IV2 3BW
Further copies of this leaflet can be obtained from:
Tara MacKenzie
E-mail: [email protected]
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito. It is still a major cause of ill-health and death in many tropical and subtropical areas. As travel to such countries is increasing so are the numbers of people suffering from malaria. Every year over 2000 people who return to the UK after being abroad are infected with malaria.
How does it spread?
The mosquito becomes infected when it bites and feeds from an already infected person. The parasite develops in the mosquito, and after about one week it is transmitted in the saliva to a new host. Most species feed at dusk and during early night hours; some have biting peaks around midnight or the early hours of the morning. There are four different types which infect humans. They are known as Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. The most serious disease is caused by P. falciparum and is potentially fatal.
An average of nine people die each year in the UK as a result of malaria, and this is largely preventable. How can it be prevented? Awareness: know about the risk of
malaria. Discuss travel plans with your GP well in advance.
Bites by mosquitoes: prevent or
avoid • Use mosquito repellents. Insect
repellents containing over 30% DEET are effective and should be applied to exposed skin.
• Impregnating cotton garments with 30ml DEET in 250ml of water makes them repellent
• Refined lemon eucalyptus oil on the skin also repels mosquitoes
• Wear long-sleeved garments, long trousers and socks after sunset
• In rural areas sleep under a bed net, preferably impregnated with pyrethrum; ensure it is long enough to tuck under the mattress.
• Synthetic pyrethroids should be vapourised overnight.
Chemoprophylaxis.There are many
types of anti-malarial tablets, and the choice will depend upon to which country you are travelling. It
is essential to check with your GP or travel clinic. • It is important to start taking the
tablets 1-3 weeks before travel, and to continue for four weeks after return
• Take antimalarials at regular intervals, after meals and with water to minimise side effects
Diagnose and treat promptly. Seek
medical attention in the event of a fever during and up to one year after travel to a malarious area. Ensure that your doctor is aware of past travel.
What are the symptoms? The incubation period can vary between 7 and 30 days depending upon the type. Occasionally symptoms may not appear for months, but can include: ♦ Flu like symptoms ♦ Fever/chills/sweats ♦ Cough ♦ Diarrhoea ♦ Headache ♦ Aching joints and muscles
In travellers who develop fever or
flu-like illness within three months
after possible exposure to malaria
the need for prompt medical
treatment cannot be
Health Policy NHS Highland Assynt House
Beechwood Park Inverness IV2 3BW
Further copies of this leaflet can be obtained from:
Tara MacKenzie
E-mail: [email protected]
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