Warning over surge in imported malaria in Britain as cases of deadly mosquito-borne illness hit 20-year high

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. 

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.

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.