Download CEAC 7033 Malaria May 2015 - Regina Qu`Appelle Health Region

Malaria
TRAVEL HEALTH
Malaria is a serious disease caused by several
different species of parasites. They infect the
blood and then other body organs. The parasites
are spread to humans through bites of infected
Anopheles mosquitoes.
It is possible for malaria to be spread by sharing
needles for injecting drugs or by a blood
transfusion from an infected person, or from
mother to unborn baby.
The illness usually begins within 7 to 21 days
after the bite, but may be delayed up to 1 year by
incomplete or inadequate anti-malarial
medication. Early symptoms include fever,
headache, muscle or joint aches, backache,
fatigue, nausea, and low appetite.
The classic symptoms of malaria (a cyclical
pattern of severe shaking chills, high fever, and
sweats) are often absent in mild or early cases.
Symptoms may mimic other common diseases
such as minor viral infections, influenza,
gastroenteritis, and pneumonia.
Progression to severe and complicated malaria
can be extremely rapid, with death occurring
within 36 to 48 hours. Severe infection with the
Falciparum species of malaria may cause liver
and kidney failure, convulsions, coma, and death
if not promptly or adequately treated.
The most important factors that determine patient
survival are early diagnosis and appropriate
treatment. The majority of infections and deaths
due to malaria are preventable.
Malaria Risk Areas
Malaria transmission occurs in over 100 tropical
and sub-tropical countries around the world.
Malaria occurs in most of Sub-Saharan Africa
and limited parts of Northern Africa, large areas
of Southern Asia, Southeast Asia, and some parts
of East Asia, areas in Central America including
the Dominican Republic, Haiti, parts of Mexico
and much of South America, Papua New Guinea
and other small islands in the South Pacific/
Oceania region, and limited areas in the Middle
East and Eastern Europe.
Risk of Malaria
The risk of becoming infected with malaria
depends on the country of destination, the
duration of stay, the time of year, the activities
during travel, and your health status.
There is a greater risk of mosquito bites in rural
areas, between dusk and dawn (during evening,
night and early morning), and at altitudes below
2,000 m (6500 ft).
The risk for malaria transmission increases during
and after rainy seasons.
Each year about 1 million Canadians travel to
areas where they may be at risk of malaria,
resulting in 350 to 1,000 malaria cases and 1 to 2
deaths annually.
Pregnant women, infants, children, and people
with a weakened immune system are more
susceptible to severe disease. These people
should consider changing or postponing their
travel plans if a malaria risk. area is
CEAC 7033
part of their destination.
May 2015
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People who have lived in areas where malaria
occurs may have developed a natural immunity to
the disease through repeated exposure but loses
this immunity within 6 months after leaving the
malaria risk area. Immigrants to Canada from
malaria risk areas are just as much at risk of
getting malaria as any other visitor when visiting
their native country.
Protect Yourself
Reduce exposure to mosquitoes:
Avoid being outdoors between dusk and
dawn.
 Avoid using scented products.
 Wear protective clothing (long sleeved and
legged, light coloured, loose fitting, layered).
Tuck pants into socks.
 Use insect repellent (DEET).
 Use synthetic mosquito bed nets treated with
permethrin.
 Nets and clothes may be treated with
insecticides for better protection.
 Sleep in a well screened environment.
 Use an appropriate anti-malarial medication.

No protection is 100% guaranteed.
For more details, see the information sheet
“Insects - Personal Protective Measures”.
Anti-malarial Medication
It is important to review your travel plans with a
travel health professional to determine whether
an individual is at risk of contracting malaria.
Anti-malarial medication may or may not be
recommended to persons travelling to countries
where malaria occurs.
There are many different anti-malarial
medications available. The medication
recommended to you depends on your
destination, length of exposure, age, and health
status.
Be sure to inform your health care provider if
you are pregnant, diabetic, or on blood thinning
medications.
The majority of people taking malaria
prophylaxis (95 to 99 %) have either no side
effects or only mild and temporary ones.
Reactions to malaria prevention medications
are almost always reversible, however death
from malaria is not.
The medication must be taken on a regular basis.
It must be started before entering the malaria risk
area, continued while there, and taken for a
period of time after leaving.
For information on specific anti-malarial
medication you are provided with one of the
following information sheets:
 “Chloroquine”
 “Mefloquine”
 “Doxycycline”
 “Malarone”
Anti-malarial medications purchased outside of
North America may available and may be
cheaper, however, it may be ineffective,
counterfeit, more toxic or inappropriate. It is
strongly recommended that you obtain your
anti-malarial medication from Canada.
Suspected Malaria
Symptoms of malaria may be mild and
non-specific. Malaria should be suspected if you
develop a fever or other symptoms while
travelling or during the first several months after
returning from an area where malaria may occur.
Consult your health care provider immediately. A
blood test is needed to confirm this diagnosis.
Malaria deaths are frequently the result of
delays in the diagnosis and treatment of the
infection. Suspected or confirmed malaria is a
medical emergency.
For information call the
Travel Health Centre
at (306) 766-7600.
Visit the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
website at www.rqhealth.ca
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