Malaria risk not primarily in tourists

26 August 2010

Statistics show that more than eight out of ten cases of malaria in UK residents last year were in people returning from visits to friends and family abroad according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The main sufferers are British travellers of African descent who are not protecting themselves when they travel.

Health Protection Agency statistics of 2009 cases show that 81 per cent (584 cases out of 722 reported cases in travellers from the UK) occurred in people visiting friends and family abroad. Tourists from the UK accounted for only eight per cent of cases (57 out of 722 reported cases in travellers from the UK).

Where listed, 1,036 out of 1,495 cases were in people who had travelled to or arrived from African countries whereas 155 cases were in people who had travelled to or arrived from Asia, Far East, and South East Asia.

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: "Malaria is one of the most prevalent causes of death from infectious disease across the world. Although deaths from it in the UK are rare, it is a significant public health risk for UK travellers."