26 August 2004: Malaria Imported into the UK, 2003: implications for those advising travellers

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published a report on the cases of malaria imported into the UK during 2003. The figures were compiled by the HPA Malaria Reference Laboratory and are in today's edition of the Communicable Disease Report (CDR).

The report has important implications for all practitioners advising travellers. It emphasizes the need for travellers to take appropriate chemoprophylaxis, since at least 75% of the cases had taken no prophylaxis. It also advises health professionals to pay particular attention to travellers who are at high risk of contracting malaria, such as those visiting friends and relatives in Africa and south Asia , and those at risk for complications of malaria such as the elderly.

Malaria Imported into the UK , 2003: implications for those advising travellers: www.hpa.org.uk/cdr/index.html

Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom for 2003:

www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/malaria/guidelines.htm