Malaria is a tropical disease spread by night-biting mosquitoes. When a mosquito infected with malaria parasites (plasmodia) bites you, it injects the parasites into your body. It only takes a single mosquito bite for you to become infected.
Symptoms can develop as quickly as eight days after being bitten. However, in some cases the parasites can stay inactive in the body and symptoms may not develop for up to a year.
Any type of malaria is dangerous but malaria caused by the falciparum parasite is the most serious. It can develop very rapidly and lead to severe illness and death.
When travelling to high-risk areas, be aware of the symptoms of malaria, such as fever. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms, even several months after your trip.
Global incidence
Malaria is a huge worldwide problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there were 243 million cases and nearly 1 million deaths from malaria in 2008. Most deaths occur in African countries close to the equator and below the Sahara desert (Sub-Saharan Africa).
Many babies and children die from malaria. WHO estimates that a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds.
Malaria in UK travellers
Approximately 1,500 travellers return to the UK with malaria every year. In 2008, there were 1,370 cases of malaria reported and six deaths in the UK.
Most of the malaria imported to the UK is caused by the falciparum parasite and is acquired in Africa.
Most UK travellers who catch malaria either do not take any malaria tablets or do not take the right tablets for the part of the world they visit. It is important to visit a travel health clinic or GP surgery for prevention advice before going to an area where there is malaria.
Continue to next section: Symptoms of malaria