Malaria symptoms have travellers confused

British holidaymakers have been warned about the need to identify malaria symptoms.

Travel Insurance News - 09/05/2011

<< Strong winds strand hundreds in Isles of Scilly | Travel News | Earthquake kills nine in Spain >>

UK holidaymakers heading off on foreign trips have been warned about the need to avoid confusing the symptoms of malaria with the signs of a common flu case. The warnings come as a survey revealed that at least half of people could not spot the signs that indicate contraction of the tropical disease.

The Malaria Awareness Campaign commissioned the research, which shows that 57 per cent of 2,254 people who responded to surveyor’s questions did not know the symptoms of malaria, an often-fatal illness. In the last two years, the number of malaria cases in Britain rose by nearly 30 per cent, it was revealed last month.

Dr George Kassianos, spokesman for the Malaria Awareness Campaign, says Cheryl Cole’s recent battle with malaria, which garnered a lot of publicity, had helped to raise awareness of that fact that the illness, which many find difficult to spot, can hit anybody. Pointing out how the symptoms can appear just like common influenza, Dr Kassianos said even medical professionals can have trouble spotting malaria with accuracy in plenty of time.

However, as Dr Kassianos went on to explain where travellers have spent any time in areas known to suffer from malaria infection in the previous 12 months, it is vital to ensure that malaria is ruled out where symptoms resemble those of flu. Though malaria can appear with three months of a foreign trip, it can sometimes remain hidden for more than a year after an infected mosquito has bitten a sufferer.

<< Strong winds strand hundreds in Isles of Scilly | Travel News | Earthquake kills nine in Spain >>