New figures show increase in UK malaria cases

The government has warned UK travellers to take extra precautions to prevent malarial infections following a rise in the number of cases of the disease during 2013.

New figures from Public Health England released to coincide with World Malaria Day on April 25th 2014 show there were 1,501 imported malaria infections reported in the UK in 2013, up by nine percent on 2012.

Almost four-fifths of these cases were caused by the more severe Plasmodium falciparum parasite strain, reflecting the fact that most malaria imported to the UK is acquired in Africa. The highest proportion of cases came from non UK-born travellers visiting their family in their country of origin.

The report emphasised the importance of seeking pre-travel advice before visiting a country where malaria is present and the need to take appropriate measures to protect themselves, including preventive medicines.

Professor Peter Chiodini, head of Public Health England's Malaria Reference Laboratory, said: "World Malaria Day provides a timely reminder to all travellers going to a country where malaria is present to seek pre-travel advice about the appropriate measures to take to protect themselves, including preventive medicines."

Malaria is found in more than 100 countries, mainly in tropical regions of the world. These include large areas of Africa and Asia, Central and South America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, parts of the Middle East and some Pacific islands.