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Updated 14/04/2007

Other travel related infections are dealt with in the Infections section (e.g. SARS and West Nile Virus) and Main Parasitic hazards.

There were over 2000 cases of malaria and deaths from malaria doubled to 16 in 2003 because of a failure by travellers to take precautions before visiting high-risk areas. Most had taken no antimalarials at all. In 2004, 5 people booking last minute holidays to The Gambia required emergency hospital admission after returning with malaria. Two of these had taken antimalarials but NOT the ones appropriate for the area. A survey by the Health Protection Agency found that half of travellers did not seek ANY advice before travelling and a quarter of those visiting high-risk areas were completely unaware of the dangers. In May 2006, the Sunday Times surveyed tour operators and found 2 advised that antimalarials were "definitely not required" for 2 beach resorts near Mombassa on the Kenyan coast where malaria is a serious problem.
Figures for 2005 are 2000 Britons affected per year and 10-20 die. The Health Protection Agency has reported that cases are increasing in visitors to the Gambia. 27 contracted the disease with 7 needing intensive care and 3 dying.

With regard to malaria protection we can also charge for issuing private scripts as the NHS does not cover malaria prevention. Once again we do not exercise our rights for registered patients. Patients also save as malaria prevention therapy is free of VAT when supplied against a private prescription.

Always speak to one of our nurses BEFORE you book your holiday so that you can consider the health risks before deciding your itinerary. This is particularly important if you are pregnant. For example, flying whilst pregnant is acceptable within limits but you should avoid countries with a significant malaria risk. Pregnant women visiting the Gambia attract twice as many malaria carrying insects compared to non-pregnant women. So risk of malaria is higher but there is also a potential risk to the baby from antimalaria drugs. The best advice is not to visit such countries.

Anti-mosquito precautions

Drug prevention is only a part of protection against malaria and other diseases passed on via mosquitoes.

bulletStay indoors or wear long sleeved shirt and long trousers at dawn dusk and early evening
bulletUse an insect repellent, preferably one containing DEET, on clothes and exposed skin. Always follow manufacturer's direction for use, use sparingly on children and avoid contact with mouth and eyes
bulletIndoors, mosquito bites can be reduced by air conditioning, insect-proof screens on windows and doors, and spraying the room with insecticide. Bed nets and cot nets may be useful. (Urchin has a twin arc baby cradle go-anywhere bed with integrated mosquito net and carry bag weighing 2.6kg http://www.urchin.co.uk  )

More detailed information is available here: http://www.nathnac.org/travellers/iba.html

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