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Prevention of Malaria

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Treatment and Prevention of Malaria

Part of the book series: Milestones in Drug Therapy ((MDT))

Abstract

An estimated 80–90 million travellers visit malaria-endemic areas annually. Not all travellers have a similar risk. The risk of acquiring malaria will depend on many factors including the type and intensity of malaria transmission at the destination, the duration and style of travel, prevention measures used and individual characteristics. Primary prevention strategies are mosquito bite prevention measures (such as insecticide impregnated bednets, repellents and insecticides) and chemoprophylaxis. The three priority antimalaria chemoprophylactic regimens for travellers to areas with a high risk of Plasmodium falciparum malaria are: atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine. In some countries, the strategy of stand-by emergency self-treatment is recommended for travellers to areas with a low risk of malaria. Malaria prevention advice and strategies should as far as possible be evidence based using sound epidemiological data when these are available. This chapter focuses on the chemoprevention and self-treatment of malaria in travellers.

Motto/Epigraph

Travellers to malaria-endemic areas need:

  • Information on malaria risk, mode of transmission of the disease, incubation period and symptoms

  • Advice on measures against mosquito bites

  • Chemoprophylaxis for high-risk areas such as sub-Saharan Africa

  • Advice regarding prompt diagnosis and self-treatment of malaria if appropriate

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Zurich Centre for Travel Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travellers’ Health, Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Patricia Schlagenhauf

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, Brendstrupggardsvej 100, DK-8200, Aarhus N. Aarhus, Denmark

    Eskild Petersen

Authors
  1. Patricia Schlagenhauf
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  2. Eskild Petersen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eskild Petersen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Infection, Div. Cellular & Molecular Medicine, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    Henry M. Staines

  2. Medical School, Dept. Infectious Diseases, St. George´s Hospital, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    Sanjeev Krishna

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© 2011 Springer Basel AG

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Schlagenhauf, P., Petersen, E. (2011). Prevention of Malaria. In: Staines, H., Krishna, S. (eds) Treatment and Prevention of Malaria. Milestones in Drug Therapy. Springer, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0346-0480-2_14

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