Your current location:HOME >world >Warning over surge in imported malaria in Britain as cases of deadly mosquito 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 08:56:08 Source: Internet compilationEdit:world
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.
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry2024-05-21 07:38
Jiangsu continues supporting technological innovation of industries2024-05-21 07:34
Private sector actively competing for involvement in China's space station, manned lunar missions2024-05-21 07:10
New toad species found in south China2024-05-21 07:02
A warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue it2024-05-21 06:40
Gene Herrick, AP photographer who covered the Korean War and civil rights, dies at 972024-05-21 06:31
Central gov't appoints veteran diplomat as new commissioner of Chinese FM in Hong Kong2024-05-21 06:27
Meet the Real Housewives star who spent £25m on a 1,0002024-05-21 06:21
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email2024-05-21 06:20
Spring outing popular among Chinese people: survey2024-05-21 06:15
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire2024-05-21 08:45
Cutter Gauthier, the NCAA's leading scorer, signs 32024-05-21 08:38
Expansion club Bay FC edges Seattle Reign for first home win in NWSL2024-05-21 08:11
China surpasses U.S. in publishing most influential academic papers: report2024-05-21 08:08
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car2024-05-21 07:36
World Internet Sci2024-05-21 07:15
Dialogue in birthplace of Confucius pools wisdom for AI governance2024-05-21 06:38
Olivier Awards 2024: Sarah Snook stuns in a black velvet dress ahead of Best Actress win for her one2024-05-21 06:35
OpenAI pauses ChatGPT voice after Scarlett Johansson comparisons2024-05-21 06:29
Young Chinese adopt intelligent tech for agricultural production2024-05-21 06:12