BRITS have been warned about ‘suitcase and airport malaria’ ahead of Christmas travels – after reports of the highest number of cases seen in the UK in over two decades.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said dengue and malaria infections had been confirmed in UK travellers returning from abroad, amid a surge in travel-related cases of the mosquito borne bugs.
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The health watchdog urged holidaymakers to protect themselves from getting bitten when heading abroad.
Malaria is a serious infection spread by mozzie bites.
Though it isn’t found in the UK, Brits are at risk of getting it when jetting off to tropical spots it’s commonly found in – such as Central and South America and parts of Asia and Africa.
The potentially fatal disease can be almost completely avoided by taking malaria prevention tablets when appropriate.
Dengue is another illness spread by mosquitoes, which has also been found in European holiday hotspots during warmer months – such as Croatia, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Though it’s not usually serious, some people can develop severe dengue that can be dangerous if not treated promptly in hospital.
UKHSA’s annual malaria report shows there were 2,106 cases of imported malaria reported in the UK in 2023 – marking a 26 per cent rise on the 1,555 cases reported in 2022.
This is the highest total number of cases seen in the UK since 2001, the health watchdog said.
Six malaria-related deaths were also reported in the UK in 2023 – in line with the annual average of six deaths recorded between 2014 and 2023.
Provisional figures for this year indicate there were 753 travel-acquired malaria reported in the UK between January and June 2024.
The rise in cases is linked to the resurgence of malaria in many countries and increased overseas travel following the removal of pandemic restrictions.
Aside from imported malaria infections, health experts have also shared warnings about rising rates of Odyssean malaria – cases resulting from the bite of an infected mosquito transported by aircraft, luggage, or parcel from an endemic area.
Of 6,131 cases of malaria reported in the EU/EEA in 2022, 99 per cent were travel-related, a recent study found.
A separate report into other mosquito-borne infections between January and June 2024, found there were 473 dengue cases reported in travellers returning to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
This is a significant increase from the 157 cases reported during the same period in 2023 and the highest number of cases reported in the first six months of any year since dengue surveillance began in 2009.
According to UKHSA, the surge reflects the substantial rise in dengue cases reported globally in 2024, which prompted the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to recently recommended a dengue vaccine for some travellers.
Symptoms of malaria
Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes.
If it’s not diagnosed and treated quickly, you can die from it.
Malaria is caused by being bitten by an infected mosquito and it can take just one bite to get it.
It can be hard to spot, but symptoms include:
- A high temperature, sweats and chills
- Headaches and feeling confused
- Feeling very tired and sleepy (especially in children)
- Feeling and being sick, tummy pain and diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pains
- Yellow skin or whites of the eyes
- A sore throat, cough and difficulty breathing
These symptoms usually appear between seven and 18 days after you’ve been bitten by an infected mosquito.
But sometimes you may not have symptoms for months after travel, and rarely years.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you have travelled to a country where malaria is found and have malaria symptoms.
The infection is very common in certain parts of the world, including:
- Large areas of Africa and Asia
- Central and South America
- Dominican Republic and Haiti
- parts of the Middle East
- Some Pacific islands
Malaria is not found in the UK and you can’t catch it from another person.
Source: NHS
The report also examined the number of Zika virus cases brought to the UK.
Between January and June 2024, eight Zika cases were reported in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland – only one more than the amount recorded last year.
Most cases were linked to travel in South-East Asia, UKHSA said.
Although Zika virus cases are rare, infection can be particularly risky to pregnant women as they can pass the illness onto their unborn baby.
There is no drug or vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection, so the only way of dodging it is to avoid getting bitten by mozzies or not travelling to regions where mozzies carrying the virus thrive.
How to protect yourself when travelling
Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: “As many people prepare to travel over the winter period, it is important to take precautions against serious mosquito-borne infections.
“Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can help reduce the risk of malaria, dengue, and Zika virus infection.
“Taking malaria prevention tablets appropriately is highly effective in avoiding the disease.”
He recommended checking the TravelHealthPro website before embarking on any trips for the latest health advice on your destination.
“Even if you’ve been to a country before, remember that you don’t have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk,” Dr Veal noted.
Dr Dipti Patel, director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, recommended checking in with your GP, pharmacy, or travel health clinic at least four to six weeks before the trip to ensure your vaccinations are up to date and for health advice.
They’ll be able to supply you with malaria prevention tablets if you need them.
You may also be eligible for dengue vaccine, so it’s important you speak to a health professional three to four months before travel.
The vaccine is only recommended for some travellers that have been infected with dengue in the past.
In countries with insects that spread diseases like dengue, malaria or Zika virus infection and Oropouche virus disease, protect yourself by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net.
Dr Patel noted: “Upon returning to the UK, if feeling unwell, individuals should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about their recent travel.”
Essential travel tips
Before travelling this Christmas, check:
- Your childhood vaccinations are up to date
- You’ve had recommended travel-related jabs
- You’re stocked up on necessary medications
- You’ve got valid travel insurance to cover your whole trip and planned activities
UKHSA also flagged a recent global rise in Oropouche infections, although there have been no confirmed cases in the UK this year.
Oropouche virus tends to circulate between primates like sloths – hence its nickname ‘sloth fever’.
It’s mostly spread by midge bites rather than mosquito bites.
“Due to the increase in cases, and some recent concerns regarding OROV infection during pregnancy, pregnant travellers should take particular care,” UKHSA noted.
“A recent study found Oropouche virus in the semen of an infected individual, suggesting sexual transmission may be possible.
“Travellers concerned about spreading OROV through sex should consider using condoms or avoiding sex during travel and for six weeks after returning.”
It’s also been suggested that the virus can be passed on through the womb, after a mum tragically lost her baby before it was born following infection with the virus.
