Prevention of Malaria for Travelers

     Malaria is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito that is infected with a malaria-causing parasite. Travelers to malaria endemic areas are at a high risk of malaria because they generally do not have previous exposure and thus no pre-existing immunity has developed. After a bite from an infected mosquito, symptoms typically appear after about 1 to 2 weeks or longer. Symptoms include fatigue, chills, headache, sweating, muscle aches, and stomach pain.

     Travelers can take measures to prevent mosquito bites, such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellant (DEET and picaridin), and staying indoors when possible. Additionally, medicines for malaria prevention are available for travelers to malaria endemic areas. The Yellow Book, available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, contains current information regarding use of antimalarials for travelers. Preventive therapy should be started prior to travel and should continue for a period of time beyond departure from the travel destination, depending on the medication. These medications work to prevent malaria by causing damage to the parasite. They include atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), chloroquine (Aralen), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), and mefloquine.





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