Malaria Prophylaxis: How to Prevent Malaria When Travelling

Malaria prophylaxis involves taking prescribed medication to protect against malaria infection when travelling to countries where the disease is prevalent. These medicines act as preventive treatment to stop malaria parasites from multiplying within the body after an infected mosquito bite.

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, specifically P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi, and is spread through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once in the bloodstream, the parasites attack red blood cells and can cause serious illness if not prevented or treated early.

Using prophylaxis reduces not only the traveller’s individual risk but also helps prevent the importation of malaria into malaria-free countries such as Singapore. Local transmission has been kept low through vigilant public health surveillance and mosquito control programmes. Reported imported malaria cases have remained under 40 each year since 2018, illustrating the importance of preventive care, including medication before and after travel.

Malaria prophylaxis should begin before entering an area where malaria is prevalent and continue throughout the trip as well as for a period after returning home. This schedule ensures that any parasites introduced during travel are effectively cleared from the body.

The timing for starting and stopping medication varies according to the specific drug prescribed. Some regimens, such as mefloquine, should begin one to two weeks before departure and continue for several weeks after returning. Others, such as atovaquone-proguanil, can be started one or two days before travel and stopped about a week after leaving the area.

It is essential to follow the recommended schedule precisely, as missing doses or stopping early may leave you vulnerable to infection. Consult your doctor well in advance of your trip to ensure you begin the medication at the appropriate time.