Britain is suffering from a rise in imported malaria cases, health officials warned today.
In 2023, more than 2,000 cases of travel-acquired mosquito-borne diseases were recorded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This is the highest number of victims in more than two decades and an increase of almost 50 percent in just one year.
Malaria, which singer Cheryl Cole suffered in 2010 after her trip to Tanzania, is not found in the UK.
However, the disease is very common in parts of Africa, Asia and Central America. As such, cases are brought to the UK by travelers returning from exotic destinations where the disease is prevalent.
Malaria, which singer Cheryl Cole suffered in 2010 after a trip to Tanzania, is introduced into the country by travelers returning from destinations where the disease is prevalent. Pictured is Cheryl on ‘Piers Morgan’s Life Stories’ in 2010 talking about contracting the disease.
Experts today attributed the spiraling cases to a post-pandemic resurgence, caused by increased foreign travel after Covid and social distancing restrictions that prevented people from going on holiday.
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
A single bite is enough for someone to become infected.
Early warning signs may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea.
With treatment, most cases are not fatal. However, in the severe stage, the disease quickly leads to death.
Surveillance statistics from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that of the 2,004 confirmed cases in 2023, almost half occurred between July and October.
For comparison, 1,369 and 1,012 were registered in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Before the pandemic, between 1,300 and 1,800 cases were reported each year.
This number dropped to just over 500 during the coronavirus crisis.
There is no licensed vaccine against malaria for travelers, but vaccines are available for other travel-associated diseases, such as polio or hepatitis A.
Professor Peter Chiodini, director of the UKHSA Malaria Reference Laboratory, said: “All cases of malaria are preventable.”
“Simple steps such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, sleeping under treated mosquito nets and taking malaria prevention pills can reduce the risks of infection.
“While malaria can affect anyone, the majority of cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the UK occur in people of African origin.”
He added: “Even if you have visited or lived in a country before, you will not have the same protection against infection as the local population and you will still be at risk.”
“We are working in partnership with communities at highest risk to improve their access to and use of effective malaria prevention measures.”
Those traveling abroad should see their GP, pharmacist or travel clinic four to six weeks before their trip for advice and pills to prevent malaria, health chiefs also advised.
If you feel unwell during travel, people should seek medical help abroad.
Globally, in 2022, there will be an estimated 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries, according to figures from the World Health Organization. Approximately 40 million children live in countries affected by malaria, and in 2021, 80 percent of malaria cases detected in the African region occurred among children under five years of age, up from 72 percent in 2015.
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Early warning signs may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea. With treatment, most cases are not fatal. However, in the severe phase, the disease quickly causes death.
Travelers who become ill once they return to the UK should contact a healthcare professional immediately and inform them that they have been traveling recently.
Globally, in 2022, there will be an estimated 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 deaths in 85 countries.
Approximately 40 million children live in countries affected by malaria and, in 2021, 80 percent of cases detected in the African region occurred among children under five years of age.
Children, as well as pregnant women and travelers without immunity to the parasite that causes malaria, are at greatest risk of serious infection and death.
It comes as dozens of countries began the world’s first mass vaccination campaign earlier this year in the hope of one day eradicating the disease.
Nearly 30 million shots will be administered in sub-Saharan Africa in the coming months, starting with Cameroon.