How is Malaria Spread?

Malaria is a serious infection that is spread by mosquitoes. If an infected mosquito bites your skin, the malaria parasite is able to enter the bloodstream and cause infection. It takes just 1 bite by an infected mosquito to get the infection, so it is important to know the risk of malaria in the country you are travelling to. You should also make sure you take anti-malaria medication if you need to, so you can make sure you’re protected.

View Malaria Tablets

How is malaria spread?

Malaria is spread by mosquitoes that are carrying the parasite that causes the infection. If you are bitten by a mosquito, specifically the female Anopheles mosquito, carrying the malaria parasite, the parasite enters your bloodstream and infects you.

Can you catch malaria from another person?

No, malaria isn’t a contagious infection from person to person.

It is only possible to catch malaria from another person through blood transfusions and organ transplants if the donor was infected. It can also be passed on by sharing needles with someone with the infection.

Can you catch malaria from dirty water?

No, you can’t catch malaria from dirty water but it is possible to catch other diseases from contaminated water, such as:

diarrhoea
cholera
dysentery
hepatitis A
typhoid
Polio
Legionnaires’ disease

You should check if it is safe to drink tap water before you visit a foreign destination. If it isn’t or you’re not sure, then it is best to stick to drinking sealed bottled water.

Where is malaria spread?

Malaria is present in over 100 countries worldwide, and around half of the world’s population is at risk of infection.

The areas where malaria transmission occurs are:

African regions account for 95% of all malaria cases
South Asia
Central and South America
the Caribbean
Southeast Asia
the Middle East
Oceania

Can you get malaria more than once?

Yes, it is possible to get malaria more than once. That is why it is so important to take precautionary measures when you travel to a malaria hotspot, even if you have had the infection before.

Some people who have grown up in high malaria areas do develop some levels of immunity and are less likely to become infected as they get older. However, if they move away from the area, they are unlikely to be immune and will need to protect themselves when they go back to visit.

There are two types of malaria parasites called Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, that can cause the infection to come back. These have what’s known as liver stages, and can remain in the body for years without causing any illness or symptoms. If these malaria infections aren’t treated, the liver stages can become reactivated and cause malaria infections.

Is there any period of temporary immunity?

People who are infected with malaria may build some level of immunity after becoming infected with the disease but it is important to take precautions if you are travelling to an infected area as protection is not guaranteed.

Populations who live in malaria areas can develop some immunity against the infection but can also still get it.

How is malaria treated?

Malaria is a medical emergency and needs to be treated as quickly as possible. The infection is treated with antimalarial medicines, often in a hospital so that your symptoms can be monitored.

Malaria treatments are usually given as tablets or capsules but if someone is very ill then the treatment can be given through a drip into a vein in the arm. If malaria is treated quickly, then you can make a full recovery. Treatment can make you feel tired and weak for a few weeks after, so it is important to take care of yourself and allow your body to recover fully.

The type of antimalarial medication and how long you need to take it will depend on:

the type of malaria you have - there are 5 types of malaria parasite
how severe your symptoms are
your age
if you are pregnant
whether you took preventative medication
if you have any underlying health conditions

How can I protect myself from malaria?

If you are planning to travel to an area where you are at risk of contracting malaria, it is important to take steps to lower the risk of catching the infection and, if you do experience symptoms, it is important to seek medical help and get treated straight away.

You should speak to a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist at least 4 weeks before travelling. They will check the risk of malaria in the areas you are travelling to, ask questions about your trip and ask if you have any underlying health problems. They may prescribe you antimalarial tablets that will help to lower the risk of getting malaria if you are bitten by an infected mosquito.

Some common antimalarial tablets you could be prescribed include:

Doxycycline
Malarone
Chloroquine and Proguanil

How do malaria tablets work?

Malaria tablets work by killing the parasites that cause the infection while they are still developing e in the red blood cells and the liver. The treatment will need to be taken before you intend to travel in order to get into your system and be effective.

How effective are malaria tablets?

If taken as prescribed, antimalarial drugs can be very effective but they do not offer 100% protection. Although antimalarial tablets do not stop the malaria parasite from entering the body, they do help to stop the infection from developing and causing symptoms.

How to take malaria tablets

Antimalarial tablets should be taken according to your doctor’s instructions.

Doxycycline should be taken 1 to 2 days before travelling, then daily while you are in a malaria area and for 4 weeks after your return. It is recommended that you take doxycycline with food because it is less likely to make you feel sick.

Atovaquone and proguanil, which is more commonly known as the brand Malarone, is taken for 1 to 2 days before travelling to a malaria area, then daily for the entire duration of your stay and for 7 days after you leave the malaria area.

When taking chloroquine you will need to begin taking the medication 1 week before travelling. You should take 2 chloroquine tablets once a week, on the same day each week. So, if you take the first 2 tablets on a Monday, you should take the next 2 tablets the following week on a Monday and so on. You will need to do this for 1 week before you travel, weekly while you are away, and for 4 weeks after your return.

Tips and tricks to prevent mosquito bites

There are several precautionary steps you can take to help protect yourself from mosquito bites if you are travelling to a malaria area, these include:

taking antimalarial medication as prescribed and finishing the course
using a good mosquito repellent that contains at least 50% DEET (diethyltoluamide)
always wearing trousers and long-sleeved clothing at night
sleeping under a mosquito net
always wearing shoes when outdoors
try to avoid camping near water because mosquitoes are often found near water
keep doors and windows closed at night or put thin netting or door beads over them to stop mosquitoes from getting in

Is there a vaccine for malaria?

There is a vaccine available for malaria but it is for use among children living in sub-Saharan Africa and for other regions that have a moderate to high transmission rate of Plasmodium falciparum.

The vaccine is not available for travellers to malaria areas but there are things you can do to protect yourself by following the ABCD approach:

A = awareness of risk. Is there a risk of getting malaria in the country you intend to visit? If so, is it a high, medium, or low risk?
B = Bite prevention. Protect yourself against mosquito bites by using mosquito nets, wearing appropriate clothing, and using insect repellent.
C = Chemoprophylaxis or take the antimalarials you are prescribed.
D = Diagnosis and prompt treatment. If you think you may have malaria, it’s important that you are seen by a doctor straight away to get early treatment.