Malaria Epidemiology and Pre-Travel Health Management
Summary
Malaria remains a major global health concern, with Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax accounting for the majority of cases in tropical and subtropical regions. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the heaviest burden, while parts of Asia and Latin America continue to report substantial transmission. International travel, migration and climate change have altered transmission dynamics, leading to imported cases in non-endemic countries and raising the risk of local outbreaks. Asymptomatic carriage among recent arrivals can sustain low-level transmission and demands proactive screening measures. Pre-travel health management encompasses individual risk assessment, tailored advice on chemoprophylaxis regimens, vector-avoidance strategies (including insecticide-treated nets and repellents) and updates on emerging vaccine candidates. Adherence to prophylactic schedules and prompt diagnosis upon return are essential to reduce morbidity and prevent onward transmission. Integration of epidemiological surveillance, rapid diagnostics and community engagement ensures that both travellers and public health systems remain vigilant against the evolving challenges of malaria control and elimination.
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Malaria Epidemiology and Pre-Travel Health Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in malaria epidemiology and pre-travel health management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Asymptomatic infection: Presence of malaria parasites in the bloodstream without overt clinical symptoms.
Chemoprophylaxis: Preventive administration of antimalarial medicines to inhibit parasite development during travel.
Imported malaria: Malaria infection acquired abroad and diagnosed in a non-endemic country.
Visiting friends and relatives (VFR): Travel by individuals to their country of origin to visit friends or family, associated with elevated malaria risk.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): Highly sensitive molecular technique to detect and amplify parasite DNA.
Rapid diagnostic test (RDT): Point-of-care immunoassay for the swift detection of malaria antigens.
References
- Malaria parasite prevalence in Sub-Saharan African migrants screened in Sweden: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe (2023).
- Malaria parasite prevalence among migrants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2023).
- Return to Travel in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Recovery Period and Implications for Imported Malaria: Reinforcing Prevention, Early Diagnosis, and Appropriate Treatment of Malaria. Clinical Infectious Diseases (2023).
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