Malaria is a real risk to travellers going to certain destinations. But how do you get reliable advice on avoiding this long-lasting feverish illness?
Is malaria a risk where I’m going?
The World Health Organization’s malaria threat map can be difficult to interpret, and it changes frequently. The risk of malaria may go up and down according to the season, too.
To accurately assess the malaria risk at your destination, you should speak with a nurse or pharmacist who specializes in travel health advice. They will have access to the most up-to-date and dependable information about malaria risk, and they have the skill needed to interpret the malaria map in a meaningful way.
If you’ve been told malaria is present at your destination, or you have questions about malaria prophylaxis drugs, make an appointment with Canadian Travel Clinics ahead of your trip abroad.
What steps do I need to take to protect myself from malaria while on vacation?
Malaria is not vaccine preventable so it is recommended that people travelling somewhere with a malaria risk take malaria prophylaxis drugs.
Although malaria prophylaxis is effective, you will still need to support its action by avoiding mosquito bites during travel. There are various steps you can take to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
Use an insect repellent containing DEET and wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. Sleeping in an air-conditioned room, or under nets will also reduce your risk of exposure to the parasite that causes malaria.
These steps will help you to avoid exposure to mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya and Dengue fever.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a feverish illness caused by a parasite that enters the body via a mosquito bite. Malaria can be serious and it may take a long time to recover from malaria. In some cases, malaria can be fatal. For more details about malaria, see our travel advice article or talk to your healthcare provider or travel health adviser.
If you suspect you have malaria, seek medical help immediately. Don’t wait until you get back to Canada.
Treat any feverish illness within a year of travel with caution and speak with your healthcare provider, letting them know where you have been.
Where can I get a prescription for antimalarials?
At Canadian Travel Clinics, we can prescribe and administer antimalarials. Some antimalarials are available without a prescription, but it’s best to get advice on choosing the antimalarials that are most appropriate for you and for your destination.
To find out more about what you need to do to manage the risk of malaria on your trip abroad, make an appointment with Canadian Travel Clinics.
When should I start my antimalarial drugs?
It can be difficult to work out the best time to start and finish your antimalarial tablets. You’ll need to start taking them before you arrive in the malarious area and stop the course after you leave. This can be tricky with a multi-destination trip.
When you come for your travel health appointment, bring information about your itinerary to help us work out a regime that will give you the best protection from malaria.
If you’re planning a long, multi-destination trip we’d recommend a double appointment so that we can check all the required information.
Are malaria tablets suitable for me?
There are various antimalarial drugs, and some people don’t get on with some brands. That’s why you should get professional medical advice before you start the course. The travel health professional may ask some questions about your lifestyle and medical history and it’s important to be completely honest to ensure you get the right kind of antimalarials.
People with health conditions such as epilepsy or asplenia may wish to get advice on malaria prophylaxis from their health specialist team, as well as getting travel health advice from Canadian Travel Clinics.