Malaria prevention guidelines for travellers from the UK

These practical guidelines from the Public Health England Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention for UK Travellers update the Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom published in 2007. They cover crucial aspects of malaria prevention including the ABCD principles: Awareness of the risk at the traveller’s destination; Bite prevention; Chemoprophylaxis; Diagnosis and treatment without delay The risk of malaria and preventative medicine recommendations for some countries and geographical areas have been revised, and some geographical areas of risk have been re-defined. The guidelines also provide advice for the prevention of malaria in the presence of co-existing medical conditions as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Key revisions to the guidelines have been made with respect to malaria prevention in the following contexts: Anticoagulants, breastfeeding, children, emergency standby treatment, HIV and AIDS, the last minute traveller, liver disease, pregnancy, renal impairment, sickle cell disease and thalassemia, and students and children at boarding schools. Over 1,300 imported malaria infections were reported in the UK in 2012 (1,378). Malaria remains an important travel-associated infection, which particularly affects people travelling to visit friends and relatives, especially in Africa and Asia. Anyone who is travelling to a country where malaria is present should seek pre-travel advice about appropriate malaria medication and other necessary measures to protect themselves. Malaria is a medical emergency and severe complications can be fatal. Anyone with symptoms (usually flu-like or a fever), either while abroad or when they return home, must get immediate medical help.