Travellers warned of malaria risk

People develop malaria after being bitten by mosquitoes

The number of Britons who develop the most serious form of malaria is on the increase, official figures show.

Data from the Health Protection Agency show there were 1,758 cases of malaria reported in UK travellers in 2006 - eight of which were fatal.

Just under 80% of cases were caused by plasmodium falciparum - the most deadly strain - compared to 1987 when it accounted for just 40%.

The HPA warned travellers had to be aware of the risk of malaria.

It is a common misconception that people who were born in places where malaria is rife and who now live in the UK, have immunity to malaria Professor Peter Chiodini, Health Protection Agency

The figures for 2006 also showed 219 cases were due to Plasmodium vivax which causes a debilitating disease, but is rarely fatal.

The data also showed that, in just under half of cases where the reason for travel was known, 57% were people who had visited friends and relatives in the tropics.

Cases diagnosed late

Professor Peter Chiodini, a malaria expert at the HPA, said: "It is a common misconception that people who were born in places where malaria is rife and who now live in the UK, have immunity to malaria.

"This is not the case because they very quickly lose the partial immunity they might have acquired whilst they lived there, and people who have never lived in these countries have no immunity."

He added: "It is particularly important that people are aware that they are at risk if they do not follow advice on malaria prevention."

Last year also saw the first imported case of Plasmodium knowlesi - a primate malaria parasite found in parts of Southeast Asia which can occasionally be transmitted to humans.

The HPA warned travellers to ensure they took the appropriate malaria medication for their destination, and that while they were away they wore clothing to cover up their arms and legs and used insect-repellent and bed nets.

Professor Chiodini added: "It is important for travellers to be aware of the symptoms of malaria, which can be very similar to those of flu.

"Cases in this country are regularly diagnosed late, which can lead to a more severe illness, so if you become unwell after returning from the tropics, passing on your travel history to your doctor and mentioning the possibility of malaria is crucial."