News
Malaria country recommendations review and update
The Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention (ACMP) have agreed some updates to their country recommendations
Malaria free certification: Belize
The World Health Organization has granted certification of malaria elimination
Proguanil discontinued in the UK
Information for health professionals about discontinuation of proguanil and the resulting change to malaria recommendations
Malaria imported into the UK: 2020 and 2021
UK Health Security Agency publishes 2020 and 2021 imported UK malaria cases
Zoonoses (diseases from animals) in travellers
A zoonotic disease is one that spreads between animals and humans and has the potential to be an increasing problem for travellers
World Malaria Day 2023: Malaria reminder
Advice for travellers and health professionals about malaria
Malaria free certification: Azerbaijan and Tajikistan
The World Health Organization has granted certification of malaria elimination
Treatment resistant malaria reported in the United Kingdom (UK) in a traveller who visited Uganda
UK Health Security Agency Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention highlights the first case of Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin resistant malaria reported in the UK
Updated guidelines malaria prevention in travellers from the UK
UK Health Security Agency Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention publish updated malaria guidelines
Factsheets
Malaria
Malaria is a serious and potentially life threatening disease, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles spp. mosquitoes
Diseases transmitted by insects and ticks in Europe
Depending on destination, travellers may be at risk of a number of different diseases spread by insects or ticks in Europe
Diseases transmitted by insects and ticks in the Americas
Depending on the destination, travellers may be at risk of a number of different diseases
Topics
Malaria
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease, transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito occurring in many tropical regions of the world
Outbreaks
Malaria in USA
As of 4 October 2023, a case of locally acquired malaria has been reported in Saline County, Arkansas. This is the only known locally acquired case of malaria in Arkansas. To date in 2023, seven cases of locally acquired malaria have been identified in Florida, one case in Texas, and one case in Maryland.
Malaria in USA
On 22 August 2023, the US authorities advised that the case of locally acquired malaria reported in Maryland on 18 August 2023 has been confirmed as P. falciparum malaria.
Boigu Island
Malaria in Australia
As of 26th July 2023, three cases of malaria have been reported on Saibai Island. Earlier in July a case was also reported on Boigu Island. Both islands are in the Torres Staight, close to Papua New Guinea. These are the first cases of malaria detected in the Torres Strait since 2013. Local health authorities are warning residents of all Torres Strait islands to be on alert for symptoms of malaria and take measures to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes.
Malaria in USA
As of 15 July 2023, a total of seven locally acquired Plasmodium vivax malaria cases have been reported in Florida. This brings the total in the USA in 2023 to date, to eight (one in Texas, June 2023, and seven in Florida).
Malaria in USA
As of 23 June 2023, a case of malaria was confirmed in a resident of Texas who had not travelled outside of the country or state. No other locally acquired malaria cases have been identified. The last locally acquired Texas case occurred in 1994.
Malaria in Sudan
On 25 April 2023, due to reported increases in malaria cases in Khartoum, and the impact of the current situation on health services, the UK Health Security Agency advise antimalarial chemoprophylaxis for all UK travellers to Sudan, including Khartoum.
Malaria in Costa Rica
As of 13 April 2023, 105 cases of malaria have been confirmed. The majority of cases were reported between 2 - 11 April 2023. Insect bite avoidance is essential.
Malaria in Azerbaijan
On 29 March 2023, WHO certified Azerbaijan as malaria free.
Malaria in Tajikistan
On 29 March 2023, WHO certified Tajikistan as malaria free.
Malaria in Pakistan
Between January and August 2022, over 3.4 million suspected cases of malaria were reported in Pakistan compared with the 2.6 million reported over the course of 2021. Over 170,000 cases were laboratory confirmed, of which 77% are due to Plasmodium vivax, and 23% due to Plasmodium falciparum, which is associated with the most severe and fatal cases. A rapid upsurge in cases was observed in Balochistan and Sindh provinces after the devastating floods in mid-June 2022. WHO report the health infrastructure has been damaged by the floods.
Malaria in Peru
Between 1 January and 30 July 2022, a total of 15,381 cases of malaria have been registered. Loreto (12,621) and Junín (1,733) regions reported the highest number of cases. An increased risk of malaria has also been reported in Cusco, San Martín, Ayacucho, Ucayali, Cajamarca and La Libertad regions. These cases do not change the current malaria advice for Peru (see malaria section on our country information page). Bite avoidance is recommended. Travellers in special risk groups for malaria should be assessed on a case by case basis (see special risk groups wording on our country information page).
