Malaria is a serious infection caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It is found in many tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Asia and the Pacific.

There are several types of malaria. The most dangerous is P. falciparum, which can be fatal if not treated. P. vivax is the most widespread in Asia and can cause relapses weeks or months after the first illness. Other forms (P. ovale, P. malariae, P. knowlesi) are less common.

👩‍⚕️ Symptoms

Malaria usually starts 7–30 days after infection, though it can be longer with some types.

Early symptoms include fever (often coming in cycles), chills, sweats, headache, tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea, and body aches.

If untreated, especially with P. falciparum, it can cause severe complications such as seizures, coma, severe anaemia, organ failure, shock, and death.

🌍 Travel Risks (Asia)

High risk areas: Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and parts of Indonesia (Papua, Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara).

Moderate to high risk: Rural parts of India (Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam), Myanmar (outside Yangon/Mandalay), Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam (central highlands, border areas), Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts), Pakistan, Afghanistan, and rural areas of Malaysia (Sabah/Sarawak, Borneo).

Low or no risk: Major cities such as Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bali, as well as countries like Sri Lanka (malaria-free since 2016), Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

🌍 Travel Risks (Africa)

High-risk areas: Most of sub-Saharan Africa has high malaria transmission, especially West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal), Central Africa (DR Congo, Cameroon), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda).

Low-risk areas: Some urban centres, high-altitude regions, and northern Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia) have little or no risk.

🌍 Travel Risks (South America)

High-risk areas: Amazon basin regions of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia — particularly rural and forested areas.

Low-risk areas: Major cities (Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima), southern regions, and high-altitude areas generally have very low risk.

💊 Protection with Medication (Chemoprophylaxis)

If you are travelling to an area with malaria, your doctor may prescribe preventive medicine.

Options include:

Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone®): taken daily, starting 1–2 days before travel and continued for 7 days after leaving the area.

Doxycycline: also taken daily, starting 1–2 days before travel and continued for 28 days after leaving. Can make skin more sensitive to the sun.

Mefloquine (Lariam®): taken weekly, starting 2–3 weeks before travel and continued for 4 weeks after leaving. Not suitable for people with certain mental health conditions.

🛡️ Other Protective Measures

Even if you take medicine, you should still:

Use insect repellent containing DEET.

Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets.

Wear long sleeves and pants, especially from dusk to dawn (when Anopheles mosquitoes bite).

Stay in accommodation with screens or air-conditioning.

✅ Key Take-Home Message

Malaria is preventable but can be very serious if contracted. Your exact risk depends on where you travel, the time of year, and the type of activities you’ll be doing. Taking the right antimalarial medication, using mosquito protection, and seeking prompt medical care if you develop fever during or after travel are essential.