Britons catching malaria at highest level in over 20 years

Malaria has surged among holidaying Britons with cases at their highest level in more than 20 years.

Official data show there were 2,004 people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who caught malaria while abroad in 2023, up nearly 50 per cent from 2022.

Public health experts have attributed the increase to a resurgence of malaria in many countries as well as renewed interest in long-haul travel last year following the pandemic.

Malaria is a parasitic disease carried by female mosquitoes and is a common illness in Africa, South America and much of Asia.

Symptoms often include flu-like signs such as fever, headache, fatigue, and aches while it can also manifest as a cough and diarrhoea.

‘All cases of malaria are preventable’

Professor Peter Chiodini, director of the UKHSA Malaria Reference Laboratory (MRL), said: “All malaria cases are preventable and simple steps like using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, sleeping under treated bed nets and taking malaria prevention tablets can lower infection risks.

“While malaria can affect anyone, the majority of Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases in the UK occur in those of African background.

“Even if you have visited or lived in a country before, you will not have the same protection against infections as local people and are still at risk.

“We are working in partnership with communities at greater risk to improve their access to and use of effective malaria prevention measures.”

Data show that 2023 saw more people in the UK catch the disease while travelling than in any year on record, except for 2000 and 2001, when 2,047 and 2,044 cases were reported, respectively.

Last year’s case number, however, does not include Scotland data yet and the actual UK-wide figure could yet eclipse any malaria tally in the 21st century.

Dr Dipti Patel, Director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said:  “If you are making plans to travel abroad this year, please take a moment to prioritise your health and plan ahead.

“Check the relevant country information pages on our website, TravelHealthPro, and ideally speak to your GP or a travel health clinic four to six weeks ahead of travelling to ensure you have had all the necessary vaccinations and advice you need to ensure your trip is a happy and healthy one.”

Hope for a vaccine

There is currently no licensed vaccine for malaria, which is caught through mosquito bites.

The Oxford Vaccine Group, however, is developing its R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, co-developed with the Serum Institute of India, which has 78 per cent efficacy.

Oxford scientists have partnered with the Serum Institute, the biggest vaccine manufacturer in the world, to build on the Covid-era collaboration which allowed for the low cost mass manufacture and distribution of the AstraZeneca coronavirus jab.

It is hoped the partnership will produce up to 200 million of the $4 doses annually, with the plan to deliver these across Africa.

Professor Sir Adrian Hill, lead researcher on the vaccine at the University of Oxford, said: “The R21/Matrix-M vaccine represents a paradigm shift in malaria prevention, offering unprecedented safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness”.