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Malaria, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, accounted for an estimated 263 million cases globally in 2023, according to the latest World Malaria Report.1 It is commonly observed in tropical countries like Nigeria, Tanzania, Brazil, Peru, and India. If you wish to travel to the exotic destinations in these countries, you would be a bit cautious of catching malaria. However, malaria is a condition which is preventable and curable. Hence, with proper precautions and following preventive measures, you can travel to countries which pose a malarial risk.
Through this blog, you will learn more about malaria, its symptoms, risk factors, prevention of malaria for travellers, and available treatments.
Synopsis
A Closer Look at Malaria
Malaria is a serious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, commonly referred to as malaria vectors. Of the five parasite species known to infect humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax are the most concerning due to their widespread impact.
A mosquito becomes infected when it feeds on a person who carries the malaria parasite. If it later bites a healthy individual, it can transmit the parasite into the bloodstream, where the infection begins to develop. Although less common, malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth. In rare cases, the disease may spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or the use of contaminated needles.
Risk Factors
The primary risk factor for developing malaria is living in or travelling to regions where the disease is prevalent. These areas include tropical and subtropical zones such as sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, as well as parts of Central and northern South America. Certain groups face a higher risk of developing severe malaria, including infants, children under five, pregnant women and girls, travellers, and individuals with HIV or AIDS. By following proper strategies, the prevention of malaria can be achieved.
Symptoms of Malaria
Malaria symptoms typically begin 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Common symptoms of malaria include:
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Extreme fatigue
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Reduced consciousness
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Repeated seizures
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Dark or blood-stained urine
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Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
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Unusual or excessive bleeding.
How to Prevent Malaria for Travellers?
If you're planning to travel to regions where malaria is present, taking preventive measures is crucial to protect your health.
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Check Malaria Risk Before You Travel: Before you travel, check if malaria is a risk in the area you are visiting. It is not spread evenly across a country, so look at your exact travel plans. The risk is usually higher in rural areas, places without window screens or air conditioning, and during the rainy or peak malaria season.
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Take Preventive Medication as Prescribed: If you are going to a place with malaria, your doctor might give you medicine to help prevent it. Be sure to take it exactly as instructed, usually before, during, and after your trip. Although medicine lowers your risk, you should still take other precautions, too.
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Avoid Mosquito Bites: Even while taking preventive medication, you should take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, wear long-sleeved clothing, and sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets when possible. Stay in well-screened or air-conditioned rooms whenever available.
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Know the Symptoms and Act Quickly: If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, or fatigue while travelling or even weeks after returning home, seek immediate medical care and inform your healthcare provider about your recent travel. Early diagnosis and treatment by expert doctors are essential to prevent complications.
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Special Consideration for VFR Travellers: Travellers visiting friends and family in their home country, especially those who grew up there, may think they are still immune to malaria. But any past protection can fade over time. This group is often at higher risk and should take extra care with prevention and talk to a doctor before travelling.
How is Malaria Treated?
Antimalarial medications can cure malaria by eliminating the infection from your body, but it is essential to start treatment as soon as possible. Without proper treatment, malaria can lead to severe complications, including organ damage or death. Your doctor will select the appropriate medication based on the type of Plasmodium parasite, as some may be resistant to certain drugs.
Common antimalarial drugs include artemether, artesunate, chloroquine, doxycycline, and primaquine. After treatment, it is still important to continue protecting yourself from mosquito bites. Even if you have had malaria before, you can get infected again if bitten by an infected mosquito. In addition to treatment, malaria prevention remains crucial to reduce the risk of reinfection.
Conclusion
If you are planning a trip to a country where malaria is present, it is natural to feel a bit concerned. However, there is no need to cancel your travel plans. By learning how to prevent malaria and following the right protection strategies, you can significantly reduce your risk. Educating yourself about the symptoms, risk factors, prevention methods, and treatment options helps you stay safe. To get more tips and guidance on prevention of malaria, visit the Internal Medicine Department in Manipal Hospitals, Broadway.
FAQ's
If you develop a fever while travelling in a malaria-risk area, consult a doctor right away. Keep taking your malaria medications as prescribed. Quick action can help prevent serious illness.
Treat clothing and gear such as boots, pants, socks, and tents with 0.5% permethrin spray, or use pre-treated items. Do not apply permethrin directly to the skin. To keep mosquitoes out, keep windows and doors closed or use screens for added protection.
The transmission of malaria depends on temperature, which affects both the survival of Anopheles mosquitoes and the development of the malaria parasite inside them. In warmer areas near the equator, malaria can spread more easily and often occurs throughout the year.
Without treatment, malaria can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the type of parasite. Even if symptoms go away, the infection can come back later. If not treated, malaria can lead to serious health problems like cerebral malaria, severe malarial anaemia, or nephrotic syndrome.
No, it doesn’t. Travellers who were born or previously lived in malaria-endemic areas are still at risk. Past infections do not provide lasting protection, so they should take the same precautions as any other traveller.
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