Always Seek Malaria Advice, NHS Tells Travellers

Holidaymakers have been advised to "always" seek advice about malaria before heading off on breaks to foreign countries where the disease is a risk.

According to NHS Direct, malaria is not confined to tropical countries, as some people might believe, and is a "serious illness" especially for pregnant women.

Jacqui Jedrzejewski, of NHS Direct, said: "If you are travelling to countries where there is a risk of contracting malaria, it is essential that you visit your GP or health centre beforehand to discuss the most appropriate anti-malarial medication for you."

She explained that malaria can be transmitted by being bitten by an infected mosquito and can lead to death in severe cases.

According to the British Medical Journal, the number of reported cases of malaria has risen steadily over the past 20 years.

Furthermore, instances of Plasmodium falciparum - the deadliest malaria parasite – were up from 5,120 between 1987 and 1991 to 6,753 between 2000 and 2006.

Destinations News posted on 14/07/2008 08:10:13