Malaria Raises Concerns For International Travelers

If you're traveling outside of the United States, Canada and Western Europe you could be at an increased risk for malaria. Over 30,000 American and European travelers are infected each year. It includes a 4 - 20% mortality rate.

read more is still a great killer. People with malaria experience flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, body aches, shaking and extreme sweating.

Travelers to sub-Saharan Africa are under the greatest risk; but all travelers to countries with malaria will come down with this particular deadly disease.

What regions of travel and what seasons of travel raise the risk of malarial infection?

most malarial transmission occurs in rural areas

mosquitoes breed more in low altitudes (coastal areas) with warm temperatures

rainy seasons draw out mosquitoes

most tropical and semi-tropical countries have malaria mosquitoes

dusk is the worst time because most tourists are not yet inside their rooms at the moment

How can I prevent catching malaria?

before you travel, get a prescription from your own doctor for malaria medicine

apply to the skin mosquito repellent with at least 17-35% Deet - especially spray the feet and ankles when eating at a restaurant

wear light colored long pants and shirts when outside in the evening

spray the bedroom one hour before bedtime - mosquitoes hide in dark corners, drapes and wet bathrooms

mosquito coils work and may be bought locally (some countries use a power anti-mosquito device; can also be bought locally)

How can I be sure if the country I am traveling to is a malaria hot zone?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has an interactive data map that shows areas of the planet infected with malaria, seasons when the risk increases, and recommended methods to avoid the disease, http://www.who.int/ith/en/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also gives you travel health information at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx

We recommend that you immediately seek diagnosis and treatment in the event that you develop a fever seven days or even more after entering a malaria-risk area. Travel cover will cover you around 6 months after returning home for diseases incurred overseas. When you are first diagnosed and treated in your travel country.

Talk to your travel cover broker such as Good Neighbor Insurance in what types of international travel insurance cover costs back for diseases - like malaria - incurred overseas.

Email Jeff Gulleson at Good Neighbor Insurance for suggestions about international travel cover and malaria.