Malaria

fight the bite

Fight the Bite

Travelling abroad? Don’t let malaria ruin your trip.

LGT’s Fight the Bite campaign encourages travellers to protect themselves against malaria before they travel.

Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes in many countries outside the UK.

It can be life-threatening if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Each year, LGT treats around 115 cases of malaria, approximately 8% of all UK cases. Almost all of these infections could have been prevented.

The campaign aims to increase uptake of pre-travel health advice and antimalarial medication among travellers in Greenwich, Bexley and Lewisham, particularly those visiting friends and relatives in countries where malaria is common.

Did you know?

LGT treats around 115 cases of malaria every year.

Almost all of these infections could have been prevented through:

  • Antimalarial medication
  • Mosquito bite prevention

Before you travel

If you are travelling to a country where malaria is present:

  • Check the malaria risk for your destination before you travel. If unsure can check the below link: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
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  • Seek pre-travel health advice ideally at least 4–6 weeks before departure where possible
  • Obtain antimalarial medication from your GP, travel clinic or pharmacy (including on-line pharmacies).
  • Take medication exactly as prescribed before, during and after your trip
  • Use insect repellent containing DEET
  • Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers, especially in the evening and at night
  • Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets where appropriate

Antimalarial medication for an 8 week trip can cost as little as £20–£30 and are very effective at reducing your risk of infection.

Even if you are travelling at short notice, it is still important to seek advice before you travel and anti-malarial tablets if travelling to an area with malaria.

Symptoms of malaria

Symptoms can develop while travelling or after returning from a malaria-risk area.

Common symptoms

  • High temperature (fever)
  • Flu like illness
  • Chills or sweating
  • Headache
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Cough
  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Extreme tiredness

      Severe symptoms

  • Confusion
  • Breathing difficulties

If you become unwell

A fever or feeling unwell after travel to a malaria-risk country is a medical emergency until malaria has been ruled out.

If you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms or feel unwell during or after travel:

  • Seek urgent medical advice immediately
  • Call NHS 111 for advice or attend your nearest Emergency Department if you are seriously unwell
  • Tell healthcare professionals about your recent travel history
  • Do not assume your symptoms are caused by a minor illness
  • Ask to be tested for malaria if you have travelled to a malaria-risk country

Malaria symptoms can develop up to one year after returning from a malaria-risk area, although they most commonly occur within the first few weeks or months after travel.

Anti-malarial tablets are very effective at preventing malaria but are not 100% effective. Therefore, you need to contact a healthcare professional if you become unwell after travelling to an area with malaria.

Why malaria matters

  • Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal illness

·         You can still become unwell from malaria even if you have had it many times before.

  • Every trip to a malaria-risk area carries a risk of infection
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are essential

Information for healthcare professionals

Clinicians can help prevent malaria by:

  • Asking about upcoming travel during routine consultations
  • Providing timely pre-travel advice for patients visiting malaria-risk areas
  • Prescribing appropriate chemoprophylaxis without delay
  • Reinforcing the importance of mosquito bite prevention
  • Considering malaria in any patient presenting with fever and recent travel history
  • Even if taking properly malaria chemoprophylaxis is not 100% effective and all unwell travellers from a malaria endemic area should be assessed for malaria.
  • Check the link if unsure of a countries malaria risk

Find out more

Find country-specific malaria information and travel health advice from Travel Health Pro .

You can also learn more about malaria symptoms, treatment and prevention from NHS malaria information .

Download and share our Fight the Bite leaflet

Help protect yourself, your family and your community from malaria.

Download our A5 leaflet for advice on malaria prevention, symptoms and what to do if you become unwell after travel.

Scan the QR codes below to find your nearest pharmacy offering travel health advice and antimalarial medication.

Don’t wait until you travel, protect yourself before you go.

Nearly all malaria cases seen by LGT are preventable. Get travel health advice before you go and seek urgent medical help if you develop a fever after travel.