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There were 39,300 cases of malaria in the UK between 1987 and 2006. Of these 20,488 were in UK travellers and the remainder were among visitors to the UK.

The majority of the malaria cases in UK travellers (65 per cent) were in people visiting friends or family in Africa or South Asia.

Worryingly, only 42 per cent of UK travellers reported taking any appropriate medication to prevent malaria. People visiting friends and family in their country of origin were less likely to report using preventative measures than other travellers although they were more likely to acquire malaria compared to other groups.

Professor Peter Chiodini of the Agency’s Malaria Reference Laboratory, said: “It is vital that anyone travelling to an area where malaria is a risk seeks medical advice before their trip. This is particularly true for people travelling to visit friends and relatives who have been shown to take less precautions to protect themselves than other people who are on holiday.

“There is a prevailing myth that travellers who were born in a malaria-endemic country such as Africa have some ‘natural’ immunity to malaria and this is simply not the case. Like all other people who go to Africa and Asia they need to make sure they take their anti-malaria drugs and follow the guidelines that are there to protect everyone.

“W"ithout taking the appropriate protective drugs and using other preventative measures to prevent mosquito bites, UK travellers are exposing themselves to a killer disease that is almost completely preventable.

Symptoms

It is important for travellers to be aware of the symptoms of malaria, which can be very similar to those of flu. The symptoms of malaria include a flu-like illness, fever, shaking, headache, muscle aches and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur.

If travellers develop these symptoms whilst abroad or up to one year after returning, they should seek prompt medical advice and tell their doctor they have been in an area where malaria is a hazard.

Further information

Members of the public should seek advice about their specific travel health needs from their GP surgery or local travel clinic.

Advaice and updates on current travel health issues are available on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.

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