Prevention of malaria in travellers.

BACKGROUND

Malaria remains endemic in over 100 countries worldwide. Travellers to these countries may be at risk of contracting disease. Assessing risk on an individual basis can be challenging.

OBJECTIVE

This article identifies the traveller at high risk of contracting malaria, outlines preventive methods, including personal protection and chemoprophylaxis if indicated, and summarises the risks and benefits of the most commonly used chemoprophylactic agents.

DISCUSSION

Appropriately assessing the risk of malaria in an individual traveller can be complex. A number of factors beyond the country being visited influence the level of risk. These should be identified and taken into account when discussing malaria prevention with individuals. The traveller should be actively involved in the decision making process in order to enhance compliance. High risk individuals should be identified. Personal protection methods should always be emphasised. If chemoprophylaxis is indicated, the contraindications, advantages and side effects should be discussed. If in doubt, referral to a specialised travel medicine clinic should be considered.