Public Health Agency of Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada
Skip to content | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Home > Travel Health > Travel Health Fact Sheets > Malaria

Institutional links

Search Box

Share this page

To share this page just click on the social network icon of your choice.

 
Close

Malaria

November 2009

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.  There is no vaccine available against malaria.

 

 

 

Cause

One of five different parasites in the Plasmodium family. The parasites are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Risk to Travellers

All travellers are at risk if going to a destination where malaria occurs.

The level of risk depends on your country of destination, duration of stay, time of year, what you do when you are travelling and where you stay during your travels.

Your risk also depends on what measures you take to reduce your risk such as protecting yourself from mosquito bites and taking an appropriate anti-malarial medication.

Pregnant women, young children and people with a weakened immune system are at particular risk of more serious illness and complications of malaria.

For those who have previously lived in areas where malaria occurs: Unless you are exposed to malaria parasites frequently, you will lose any natural immunity that you may have to the disease. If you move away from your native country, you will lose your immunity within 6 months, and you will be just as much at risk of getting malaria as any other visitor to your native country. 

Severity

Depends on the type of malaria parasite. 

Most serious forms of malaria can lead to death if not treated.

Prevention

Follow the “ABCD” of malaria prevention

  1. be Aware of malaria risk, symptoms, and how long they take to appear
  2. know how to prevent mosquito Bites
  3. take anti-malarial drugs or “Chemoprophylaxis”, if appropriate
  4. seek medical help early for Diagnosis, if malaria-like symptoms develop

Treatment

If identified early and treated appropriately, almost all cases of malaria can be completely cured.

 

Symptoms

  • Can take from one week to several months to occur (depending on the type of malaria parasite).
  • Are often flu-like, including: fever, sweats, chills, headache, abdominal pain, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and feeling generally unwell.
  • In more severe cases may include seizures, coma, kidney and respiratory failure, and shock which may lead to death.

Transmission

  • Malaria is spread to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with malaria parasites.
  • The mosquito that spreads malaria is usually active during the evening, night and early morning (dusk to dawn).
  • The risk for malaria transmission increases in rural areas and during and after rainy seasons.

Where is Malaria a concern?

  • Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Malaria transmission occurs in
    • most of sub-Saharan Africa and limited areas in Northern Africa;
    • large areas of Southern Asia, Southeast Asia, and some parts of East Asia;
    • areas in Central America including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, parts of Mexico and much of South America;
    • Papua New Guinea and other small islands in the South Pacific / Oceania region; and
    • limited areas in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
  • A list of countries Opens in a PDF document and a Link to external site map of the areas where malaria transmission occurs are available from the World Health Organization.

Related Travel Health Notices

Recommendations for Travellers

It is recommended that travellers,

  1. Protect themselves from mosquito bites:
    1. Cover up: wear light-coloured, long-sleeved, tucked-in shirts, long pants, shoes (not sandals), and a hat
    2. Use insect repellent on exposed skin:
      1. Of the insect repellents registered in Canada, those containing DEET are the most effective
      2. Use as directed by the manufacturer
      3. Do not apply to cuts, abrasions or irritated skin
      4. Do not spray directly on the face
      5. Wash hands after application, to avoid contact with lips and eyes
      6. When using sunscreen: do not use insect repellent and sunscreen combination products
      7. If application of sunscreen and repellent with DEET is required, apply the sunscreen first and let it soak into the skin for about 20 minutes, then apply repellent with DEET
      8.  After returning indoors, wash off repellent.
    3. Sleep under a bed net, preferably treated with insecticide:
      1. Ensure the net is intact (no tears or large holes)
      2. Tuck it under the mattress
      3. Ensure it is not touching you (or you still may be bitten through the net)
    4. Consider your accommodations: Stay in a well-screened or completely enclosed air-conditioned room
    5. Apply a permethrin insecticide to tents and clothing and other travel gear for greater protection
      1. Permethrin-treated clothing is effective for up to 2 weeks or 6 washings
      2. Although permethrin is not available in Canada, travel health clinics can advise you how to purchase permethrin and pre-treated gear before or during your trip
      3. This could be considered for playpens, crib, or strollers to protect young children

        More information on precautions to take to avoid mosquito bites while travelling…
  2. Discuss the benefits of taking anti-malarial medication with a health care professional before departure
    1. Travellers should visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before travel.
    2. No anti-malarial medication is 100% effective in preventing the disease.
    3. Discuss your risks with a health care professional to determine whether to take anti-malarial medication and which one to take.
    4. Recommended anti-malarial medication for regions with risk of malaria can be found at the following:
  3. Know the symptoms of malaria and see a health care provider if they develop.
    1. Seek medical attention immediately if a fever arises during or after travel (for up to three months or longer) to regions at risk of malaria
    2. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider that you have travelled to a region where malaria is present.

Don't Forget …

  1. Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
  2. What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
  3. What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
  4. Know what vaccines to get and when to get them.

Other Related Information

Date Modified: 2011-12-09

Top of Page
Important Notices