News story: Six cases of malaria have been reported in Greece since June leading health care agencies to advise travellers to take extra precautions when visiting the country. We should first state that with such a low number of cases Greece remains very much a low risk country. It is also important to highlight that the small areas affected were not typical tourist destinations. No advice, therefore, has been issued against travel to Greece nor are travellers encouraged to take drug-based prophylactic measures against infection. Instead visitors to Greece are being told to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.
Analysis:
Malaria is a deadly mosquito-borne infection which kills hundreds of thousands of people each year worldwide. Just one bite from an infected mosquito is enough to inject the malaria parasites into your bloodstream.
Malaria is a disease now typically found in tropical areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America, however it did exist in some areas of southern Europe until the middle of the 20th century when wide scale eradication programmes were implemented.
For now, the Greek authorities cannot be sure of the source of the recent cases, though some blame infected migrant workers for the importation of disease into the areas affected.
Whilst the risk of Malaria remains low another mosquito-borne infection called West Nile Fever is more common and can cause a nervous system disease. The presence of both infections reinforces the importance of protecting yourself and your family from being bitten by mosquitoes when visiting Greece.
Travellers can avoid being bitten by:
- Using an insect repellent containing DEET;
- Spraying rooms with an insecticide;
- Checking windows and doors are covered by a screen and considering sleeping under a mosquito net;
- Spraying bedding with insecticides;
- Covering up exposed skin with lose-fitting, light-coloured clothes;
- Avoiding the outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are more active.
Whilst Greece remains a low risk country, should the cyclical flu-like symptoms of malaria surface up to 12 months following your return you must seek immediate medical advice.
