Malaria cases brought into Britain are at their highest level in more than 20 years.
There were 2,106 cases of people with malaria arriving in the country last year, an increase of 26 per cent since 2022.
It is the highest number of imported cases in a single year since 2001, amid a worldwide resurgence in the disease.
Health officials blamed the post-pandemic mix of a resurgent virus and increased travel following the lifting of Covid restrictions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) urged Britons looking to travel this winter to be on guard against the threat of mosquito-borne infections and take relevant precautions, including vaccination.
A deadly strain
The majority of malaria cases came from people travelling to the UK from western, eastern and central Africa, as well as Southern Asia. There were also a few cases from countries in South America.
Some six people died of malaria in the UK in 2023, which is the same as the yearly average of six deaths between 2014 and 2023.
Figures for January to June this year also show there were 753 travel-acquired malaria cases reported in the UK.
The particularly deadly strain of malaria-causing parasite, p. falciparum, was responsible for the majority of cases.
Officials said the parasite was “of the most public health interest because, as well as accounting for the most cases, it also causes the most serious disease”. It is most common in Africa.
East Midlands most affected
Early symptoms of malaria include a fever, headache and chills, and they usually start within 10 to 15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito.
The majority of cases occurred in men, with almost half recorded in London last year. The East Midlands saw the largest increase by region of cases, which more than doubled.
Some 78 per cent of cases were in people of black African heritage, while 6 per cent were white British.
In 1,067 cases, authorities were aware of the reason UK residents had travelled abroad, with 74 per cent visiting friends or family, 20 per cent on holiday, and six per cent travelling in a business or professional capacity.
It comes amid fears that mosquito-borne infections are spreading north into southern Europe as the Earth’s temperature rises.
Earlier this year a mosquito species that spreads malaria was confirmed to have returned to southern Italy, more than 50 years after the country was declared free of the disease.
However, it is the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes that poses the most immediate threat.
It was confirmed as of last year that the Asian tiger mosquito, which carries dengue fever, had become established in 13 European countries: Italy, France, Spain, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Greece and Portugal.
UKHSA warned there had been an increase in the number of dengue cases in Britain in the first half of this year, rising from 157 to 473 in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023.
It is the highest number of cases reported in the first six months of any year since dengue surveillance began in 2009 and reflects a global rise.
Dengue symptoms usually start four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and include high temperature, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, feeling or being sick, a rash and swollen glands.
There were also eight Zika virus cases that were also reported between January and June, up on the one case during the same period last year.
Most of these cases were linked to travel in south-east Asia.
Although rare, Zika is carried by mosquitoes and is a significant risk to pregnant women because it can cause birth defects.
Dr Philip Veal, public health consultant at UKHSA, said: “As many people prepare to travel over the winter period, it is important to take precautions against serious mosquito-borne infections.
“Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can help reduce the risk of malaria, dengue and Zika virus infection.
“Taking malaria prevention tablets appropriately is highly effective in avoiding the disease.
“Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination.
“Even if you’ve been to a country before, remember that you don’t have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk.”
‘Plan ahead’
Dr Dipti Patel, director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said people should check they are up to date with travel jabs, adding: “People travelling abroad during the Christmas break should plan ahead to ensure they have a safe and healthy trip.
“Upon returning to the UK, if you’re feeling unwell, you should seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider about your recent travel.”
According to the UKHSA, travellers should ideally speak to their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic at least four to six weeks before they travel.
This is to check on vaccines and any medication they may need.
A vaccine for dengue is available privately that is suitable for people who have had previous dengue infection.
Malaria, Africa, Asia, Mosquitos, Vaccines, UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency)
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