Malaria
Malaria is a potentially serious parasitic infection transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. In humans the disease is caused by five different species of the Plasmodium parasite. Malaria is widely distributed throughout tropical regions of the world including in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Oceania. Malaria is preventable and curable if diagnosed and treated promptly.
Around 1,500 cases of malaria are reported annually in travellers returning to or arriving in the UK, with an average of six deaths from malaria reported in travellers from the UK between 2014 and 2023. The risk of malaria varies according to season, geographic location, activities, type of accommodation, and the use of malaria prevention tablets and bite avoidance measures. UK Health Security Agency Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK are updated annually and provide country-specific malaria risk information. This information is also available in our Country Information pages. Climate change may have an impact on regions where mosquitoes and malaria parasites are found. As this could alter risk areas, malaria advice in our Country Information pages is regularly reviewed.
All travellers visiting areas where malaria occurs are at risk of acquiring the disease, particularly migrants to the UK who were born in malaria risk areas and return to visit friends and relatives in their country of birth. Any immunity travellers may have acquired in their country of origin wanes rapidly on migration to a country with no risk of malaria; their UK-born children will have no protection from the disease. Certain travellers are at increased risk of severe disease such as: pregnant women, those with an absent or poorly functioning spleen, children and older travellers.
Symptoms of malaria vary, but typically include fever, headache, tiredness, and muscle aches. Cough and diarrhoea may also occur. Malaria from all species can be disabling however malaria caused by the species Plasmodium falciparum can progress rapidly and cause life-threatening complications if prompt treatment is not given.
Prevention
Prevention of malaria involves several steps. These steps can be remembered as the 'ABCD' of malaria prevention:
- Awareness of the risk
- Bite prevention
- Chemoprophylaxis (use of appropriate malaria prevention tablets)
- Diagnosis (prompt diagnosis and treatment)
No regimen is 100% effective, but a combination of preventive measures will give significant protection against the potentially severe consequences of malaria.
Choice of malaria prevention tablets depends on the malaria species common in the area to be visited and whether there is resistance to any of the available drugs. Certain drugs may not be suitable for certain individuals due to existing medical problems or interactions with their regular medication.
Our Country Information pages provide country-specific information on malaria prevention medication. There is no malaria vaccine available for travellers.
Travellers should follow insect bite avoidance advice, including covering up with loosely fitting clothes, ideally long sleeves, long trousers and socks if out of doors. This helps to reduce biting mosquitoes' access to skin.
All travellers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of malaria and should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if these occur either whilst abroad or up to a year after their return. They should also let the health professional know they have visited a malaria risk area.
Choice of drugs to treat malaria will depend on the species of parasite causing the illness and the likelihood of resistance to recommended drug treatments.
Resources
- More detailed information can be found in our malaria factsheet
- UKHSA: Malaria: guidance, data and analysis
- UKHSA: Malaria prevention guidelines for travellers from the UK
- World Health Organization: World malaria report 2024
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Recent News on Malaria
Malaria free certification: Georgia
The World Health Organization certified Georgia as malaria-free
Updated: 24 January 2025UK malaria cases in returned travellers and updated guidelines
UK Health Security Agency publish malaria 2023 and 2024 (provisional) UK case numbers and updated malaria guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK
Updated: 03 December 2024Malaria free certification: Egypt
The World Health Organization has granted certification of malaria elimination
Updated: 23 October 2024Insect spread illness reminder for pregnant travellers
Information and advice for pregnant women planning travel to countries with a risk of insect, mosquito and tick spread infections
Updated: 08 October 2024Recent Malaria Outbreaks
Malaria in Botswana
On 25 March 2025, Botswana's Ministry of Health reported a significant increase in malaria cases reported in the past four weeks, related to recent heavy rains. This outbreak, which began in Okavango, has spread to several other districts. There have also been reports of cases in non-endemic areas, including Francistown, Gaborone, Mahalapye and Serowe. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on malaria. Antimalarial tablets are recommended for parts of Botswana, please check our Botswana malaria advice for further information.
Malaria in Botswana
On 25 March 2025, Botswana's Ministry of Health reported a significant increase in malaria cases reported in the past four weeks, related to recent heavy rains. This outbreak, which began in Okavango, has spread to several other districts. There have also been reports of cases in non-endemic areas, including Francistown, Gaborone, Mahalapye and Serowe. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on malaria. Antimalarial tablets are recommended for parts of Botswana, please check our Botswana malaria advice for further information.
Malaria in Georgia
As of 25 January 2025, the World Health Organization has certified Georgia as a malaria-free country. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on malaria.
Acute respiratory infections complicated by malaria in DRC
The World Health Organization have reported an outbreak of acute respiratory infections complicated by malaria (previously reported as undiagnosed illness) in Panzi Health Zone, Kwango Province. Between 24 October 2024 and 16 December 2024, 891 cases, including 48 deaths have been reported. Investigations continue but laboratory testing has identified a combination of viral respiratory infections and falciparum malaria. 47% of cases and 54% of deaths have been reported in children under five years of age. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on malaria.
