Malaria threat to young Irish travellers

FEVER ALERT:THREE OUT OF FOUR young Irish travellers are oblivious to the risk of malaria when they travel to the fever's hot zones. South Africa, Turkey, Thailand and Central America are popular destinations, yet 76 per cent of 18- to 45-year-olds took no precautions when travelling to these high-risk areas, according to a survey conducted by UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, in Dublin, for GlaxoSmithKline.

The only destinations where malaria is not a risk are western Europe, North America and Australasia.

One bite from an infected mosquito could kill within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Kathryn Thomas, the travel broadcaster, contracted the fever despite being aware of the importance of malaria prevention. “It was a very frightening experience that I never want to go through again, and so hopefully I can use my own experience to warn people of the dangers and to take all the necessary precautions,” she said.

More than one and a half million Irish people travelled abroad in the first three months of 2009. Two-thirds wrongly believed that if travelling to Turkey they did not need protection against malaria. Nearly half did not know that Mexico was also high-risk.

Prevention is better than cure: visit your GP before going to a malarious area; most deaths occur in those who take antimalarials irregularly or not at all. Preventing mosquito bites is also essential. Use insect repellent and always sleep in an air-conditioned room with the windows closed, or in a room with windows fitted with insecticide-impregnated screens.

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms.

www.malariahotspots.ie