Travellers 'need to consider malaria risk'

By Tom Farley, Tue 2 Feb 2010 - Published in Travel Insurance

Travellers are still too complacent about the risks of malaria, an expert has claimed.

In comments which may show the need for travel insurance, Jo Yirrel, an ambassador for Malaria Hotspots, said that many people think they will not be struck by the disease.

"Everybody who's going to a malaria destination which is in Asia and mainly the worst one is in sub-Saharan Africa, must go and see their health professional, take their course of tablets and finish them," she advised.

Ms Yirrel also said that travel insurance customers in high-risk areas should keep themselves covered up, use sprays which include DEET and sleep under bed nets at night.

The expert added that the symptoms of malaria often feel like the early stages of cold or flu and recommended that anyone experiencing these after a holiday visit their doctor.

Research from Malaria Hotpots found that around 2,000 British travellers come home with the disease each year, representing a 190 per cent increase in the past decade.

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