If you are traveling outside of the United States, Canada and Western Europe you may be at risk for malaria. Over 30,000 American and European travelers are infected each year. It has a 4 - 20% mortality rate.
Malaria is still a great killer. People with malaria experience flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, body aches, shaking and extreme sweating.
Travelers to sub-Saharan Africa are under the greatest risk; but all travelers to countries with malaria may come down with this deadly disease.
- most malarial transmission occurs in rural areas
- mosquitoes breed more in low altitudes (coastal areas) with warm temperatures
- rainy seasons bring out mosquitoes
- most tropical and semi-tropical countries have malaria mosquitoes
- dusk is the worst time because most tourists are not yet inside their rooms at this time
How can I prevent catching malaria?
- before you travel, get a prescription from your doctor for malaria medicine
- apply to the skin mosquito repellent with at least 17-35% Deet - especially spray your feet and ankles when eating at a restaurant
- wear light colored long pants and shirts when outside in the evening
- spray the bedroom an hour before bedtime - mosquitoes hide in dark corners, drapes and wet bathrooms
- mosquito coils are effective and can be bought locally (some countries use an electric anti-mosquito device; also can be bought locally)
How can I be sure if the country I am traveling to is a malaria hot zone?
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has an interactive data map that shows areas of the world infected with malaria, seasons when the risk increases, and recommended ways to prevent the disease, http://www.who.int/ith/en/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also gives you travel health information at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx
We recommend that you immediately seek diagnosis and treatment if you develop a fever one week or more after entering a malaria-risk area. Travel insurance will cover you up to 6 months after returning home for diseases incurred overseas. If you are first diagnosed and treated in your travel country.
Talk to your travel insurance broker such as Good Neighbor Insurance about what types of international travel insurance cover costs back home for diseases - like malaria - incurred overseas.
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