Your current location:HOME >sport >Warning over surge in imported malaria in Britain as cases of deadly mosquito 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 07:56:40 Source: Internet compilationEdit:sport
Britain is being hit by a surge in imported cases of malaria, health officials warned today. More th
Britain is being hit by a surge in imported cases of malaria, health officials warned today.
More than 2,000 travel-acquired cases of the mosquito-borne illness were logged across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2023.
It marks the biggest toll in more than two decades and a hike of almost 50 per cent in just a year.
Malaria, which singer Cheryl Cole famously suffered from in 2010 following her trip to Tanzania, is not found in the UK.
However, the illness is very common in parts of Africa, Asia and central America. As such, cases are brought into the UK by travellers returning from exotic destinations where the disease is prevalent.
Malaria, which singer Cheryl Cole famously suffered from in 2010 after a trip to Tanzania, is brought into the country by travellers returning from destinations where the disease is prevalent. Pictured, Cheryl on 'Piers Morgan's Life Stories' in 2010 speaking about contracting the illness
Experts today blamed the spiralling cases on a post-pandemic resurgence, caused by greater overseas travel after Covid and the social distancing curbs that stopped people holidaying.
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite, spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
A single bite is all it takes for someone to become infected.
Early warning signs can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and nausea.
With treatment, most cases are not fatal. Yet in the severe stage, the disease quickly leads to death.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance statistics show, of the 2,004 cases confirmed in 2023, almost half occurred between July and October.
For comparison, 1,369 and 1,012 were logged in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Pre-pandemic, between 1,300 and 1,800 cases were reported each year.
This fell to just over 500 during the coronavirus crisis.
There is no licensed vaccine against malaria for travellers, but vaccines are available for other travel-associated illnesses such as polio or hepatitis A.
Professor Peter Chiodini, director of the UKHSA Malaria Reference Laboratory, said: 'All malaria cases are preventable.
'Simple steps like using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, sleeping under treated bed nets and taking malaria prevention tablets can lower infection risks.
'While malaria can affect anyone, the majority of Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases in the UK occur in those of African background.'
He added: 'Even if you have visited or lived in a country before, you will not have the same protection against infections as local people and are still at risk.
'We are working in partnership with communities at greater risk to improve their access to and use of effective malaria prevention measures.'
Those travelling abroad should consult their GP, pharmacist or a travel clinic around four to six weeks before their trip for advice and malaria prevention tablets, health chiefs also advised.
If unwell during their trip, people should seek medical help abroad.
Globally in 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries, according to World Health Organization figures. Approximately 40 million children live in countries affected by malaria and in 2021, 80 percent of malaria cases detected in the Africa region were among children under five years old, up from 72 percent in 2015
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Early warning signs can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and nausea. With treatment, most cases are not fatal. Yet in the severe stage, the disease quickly leads to death
Travellers who fall ill once back in the UK should immediately contact a health professional and inform them they have been travelling recently.
Globally in 2022, there were an estimated 249million malaria cases and 608,000 deaths in 85 countries.
Approximately 40million children live in countries affected by malaria and in 2021, 80 per cent of cases detected in the Africa region were among children under five years old.
Kids, as well as pregnant women and travelers with no immunity to the malaria-causing parasite, are at the highest risk of severe infection and death.
It comes as dozens of countries earlier this year began a world-first mass vaccination campaign in the hope of one day eradicating the illness.
Almost 30million jabs will be dished out over the next few months in sub-Saharan Africa, which started with Cameroon.
Ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated2024-05-21 07:38
Car ploughs into primary school and sparks mass evacuation of pupils2024-05-21 07:36
Canton Fair sees surge in number of overseas purchasers: official2024-05-21 06:40
Minnesota and other Democratic2024-05-21 06:28
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds2024-05-21 06:26
Seattle hospital won't turn over gender2024-05-21 06:25
Bo Bichette has 32024-05-21 06:15
Brewers' Jakob Junis hit in neck by line drive in batting practice, taken to hospital2024-05-21 06:14
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world2024-05-21 05:35
Feature: 69 years on, the Bandung Spirit remains alive in the Global South2024-05-21 05:23
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star2024-05-21 07:55
Matthews scores as Maple Leafs beat Bruins 32024-05-21 07:50
Sydney Sweeney 'apologizes' for 'having great t**s' during bikini2024-05-21 07:47
California announces first new state park in a decade2024-05-21 07:26
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti2024-05-21 07:12
Mets cut reliever Michael Tonkin for 2nd time in 18 days, with a Twins stop in between2024-05-21 06:54
Israel's Netanyahu says to increase pressure on Hamas2024-05-21 06:39
Cate Blanchett ditches her red carpet gowns for a laid2024-05-21 05:42
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer2024-05-21 05:17
Vista Outdoor, Salesforce rise; Tesla, Cardinal Health fall, Monday, 4/22/20242024-05-21 05:11