What should you know about malaria zones?

A zone is a practical way to describe malaria transmission risk in a destination. Risk can differ between urban and rural areas, regions within one country, travel seasons and types of accommodation. Maps are useful starting points, not a substitute for a personalised review. Malaria is spread by infected mosquitoes, and symptoms such as fever, chills and muscle aches can appear during travel or later.

Before travelling, write down every destination, including stopovers, overnight stays and excursions. Book a travel health consultation early enough to discuss prophylaxis, mosquito-bite measures, existing medicines and personal health factors. Use repellent, long clothing, screened or air-conditioned rooms and a bed net where suitable. Follow any prescribed schedule carefully; prevention tablets do not replace bite avoidance or attention to symptoms.

Get urgent medical advice for a fever during travel in a malaria zone or after returning from one. Explain the dates and places visited and mention preventive medicine. Testing may be needed because malaria cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone. Seek emergency help for confusion, seizures, breathing problems, collapse, severe weakness or repeated vomiting.

Ask whether each stop on your route has transmission risk, which prevention option fits your health, how to protect yourself at night, and what service to contact if fever starts abroad.