With an estimated annual global infection rate of 350 to 500 million and approximately one million deaths1, malaria is the most serious parasitic disease in humans.2 The demand for specialist travel health advice in this area is greater than ever, especially when considering there is an estimated 16 per cent yearly increase in UK citizens travelling abroad.3, 4
With practice nurses often providing this service, it is imperative that they have a comprehensive grasp of the issues and advice surrounding malaria. Practice nurses should ensure that they are aware of and competent in promoting PHE guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK.
This article will focus on bite avoidance strategies. Health care professionals must always consider the other elements of malaria prevention5: awareness of risk, chemoprophylaxis and prompt diagnosis and treatment.
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