Missed malaria symptoms warning

10/05/2011

A study by the Malaria Awareness Campaign has found that more than half the people questioned did not recognise the disease's symptoms.

The study follows the revelation that malaria cases in the UK have jumped by almost 30% in the past two years, with 1,761 reports of malaria in the UK in 2010, up on the 1,495 in 2009 and 1,370 in 2008, according to the Health Protection Agency.

Malaria Awareness Campaign spokesman Dr George Kassianos said: "The symptoms of malaria can be almost identical to those of common flu and can be non-specific, making it difficult for healthcare professionals to diagnose malaria early and accurately.

"But if flu-like symptoms are coupled with history of travel to a malarious destination in the last 12 months, or sometimes even longer, it is essential that this infectious disease is ruled out.

"Prevention is key and travellers should seek travel health advice six to eight weeks before they travel."

Dr Kassianos said Cheryl Cole's recent high-profile malaria battle had helped to highlight the disease.