Malaria is a life-threatening tropical disease that is spread to humans by mosquitoes. Anyone planning to travel to a malaria region is strongly advised to inform themselves in advance how best to prevent infection.
Malaria is the commonest tropical disease. It is caused by parasites of the Plasmodium (P.) genus, which are found in tropical and subtropical regions in which the disease is endemic. For humans, five types of the Plasmodium parasite are of relevance: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and the recently described P. knowlesi. The parasites are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus, which are active in the evenings and at night.
Malaria manifests itself in the form of a fever of over 38°C, chills, headache, muscle ache and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea. The time between infection via mosquito bite and the emergence of symptoms can vary between six days and several years. The parasites transmitted during the bite propagate initially in the liver and later in the red blood cells, which they destroy in the process. Infection with P. falciparum produces the most dangerous form of the disease. Of the greatest concern here is a swift development that also extends to the brain, which can lead to seizures, coma and death. Pregnant women and young children are at greater risk of developing complications. Anyone who is travelling in a malaria zone (or has recently done so) who develops a fever must consider malaria as a possible cause, must regard such symptoms as a medical emergency and must urgently seek medical attention: early diagnosis of the disease followed by swift appropriate medicinal action can be life-saving.
As a disease, malaria is of major importance in public health terms. Around half of the world’s population are at risk of malaria infection. The region most seriously affected is sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of all cases. The remainder are spread over Asia, Central and South America and certain Pacific islands.
Anyone intending to travel to a tropical region should seek medical advice on doing so some four to six weeks ahead of their trip. There is no vaccine against malaria. Therefore, depending on the destination, the recommendation will be either to take antimalarial drugs in advance for prophylaxis or to carry a ‘treatment dose’ of antimalarial medication for use in the event of possible infection. It is also vital to protect oneself against mosquito bites: by sleeping beneath an insecticide-treated mosquito net, by wearing long-sleeved (and preferably bright) clothing and socks and by using mosquito spray.
For further information on the global distribution of malaria and ways and means to avoid infection, consult your GP or a doctor specialising in travel medicine (see also the links below).
The information in this file is not to be used for commercial purposes.
Permission for use and printing, as well as detailed regional maps illustrating malaria prevention recommendations, can be ordered from the Swiss Society for Tropical and Travel Medicine.
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Trends in weekly case numbers, based on the mandatory reporting system developed for physicians’ reports.
Last modification 18.09.2024
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