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Malaria is a common and life-threatening acute febrile illness which occurs in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. It is transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes.³⁴

Human malaria is caused by four different species of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae.

Clinical symptoms include fever and may include chills, headache, muscular aching and weakness, vomiting, cough, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Because malaria can cause organ failure and death, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can be life saving. However, the initial symptoms may be mild, and not easily recognised as being due to malaria. Therefore, it is important that the possibility of malaria is considered in all cases of unexplained fever whilst away or after returning from a malarious area, irrespective of preventative measures taken while away.^4,34

Transmission³⁴
Malaria parasites are transmitted by various species of mosquitoes, which bite mainly between sunset and sunrise. There is no person-to-person transmission.

Geographical distribution³⁴
Malaria is currently endemic in over 100 countries.

See malaria distribution map

The risk for travellers of contracting malaria is highly variable from country-to-country and even between areas in a country. In many endemic countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Mediterranean region, the main urban areas (but not necessarily the outskirts of towns) are free of malaria transmission. However, malaria can occur in urban areas in Africa and India . There is usually less risk of the disease at altitudes above 1,500 metres, but in favourable climatic conditions it can occur at altitudes up to almost 3,000 metres. The risk of infection may also vary according to the season, being highest at the end of the rainy season.

Risk for travellers³⁴
During the transmission season in malaria-endemic areas, all nonimmune travellers exposed to mosquito bites, especially between dusk and dawn, are at risk of malaria. This includes previously semi-immune travellers who have lost their immunity during stays of 2 years or more in nonendemic areas. Most cases of malaria in travellers occur because of poor compliance with prophylactic drug regimens or use of inappropriate prophylaxis. However, there is no preventative medication that is 100% effective.⁴

Precautions and prevention³⁴

• Consult your doctor or a travel medicine clinic before travelling to a malaria-endemic area
• Travellers and their advisers should be aware of the four principles of malaria prevention:
  - Be aware of the risk, the incubation period, and the main symptoms (see your doctor).
  - Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, especially between dusk and dawn. Please follow precautions in the Insect avoidance section.
  - Take antimalarial drugs (Chemoprophylaxis) to suppress infection when appropriate (see your doctor).
  - Immediately seek diagnosis and treatment if a fever develops 1 week or more after entering an area where there is a malaria risk , and for up to 3 months after leaving the area (see your doctor).

(Please read the Disclaimer before using the ABC Guide to Travel Health).

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