In short: Malaria is a serious, potentially fatal infection spread by mosquito bites in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America and Oceania. There is no travel vaccine for UK travellers, but the risk can be greatly reduced by following the ABCD approach: be Aware of the risk, avoid Bites, take Chemoprophylaxis (antimalarial tablets) when recommended, and seek prompt Diagnosis if you feel unwell. Antimalarials are medicines that need an individual assessment, and the right choice depends on your destination and your health.

This guide, written by a Ready Health prescribing pharmacist, follows current UKHSA guidance on malaria prevention for travellers from the UK.

What is malaria?

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites passed on by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, which mainly bite between dusk and dawn. Several species infect humans. Plasmodium falciparum, common in sub-Saharan Africa, causes most severe illness and deaths. Malaria is not passed from person to person through ordinary contact.

The World Health Organization estimates there were around 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024, most of them in Africa. In the UK, UKHSA reported 2,106 imported cases in 2023, including six deaths.

Who is most at risk of malaria?

People visiting friends and relatives in malaria areas, who account for most UK cases. Any immunity from growing up in a malaria area fades quickly after moving away.
Pregnant women, who are at higher risk of severe malaria
Young children and older adults
People without a working spleen or with a weakened immune system
Long-stay travellers and those staying in rural areas

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Symptoms usually start at least a week after an infective bite, often within a few weeks of return, but can appear up to a year or more later. They include:

fever, sweats and chills
headache and muscle aches
tiredness
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or cough

Falciparum malaria can quickly become severe, causing confusion, seizures, breathing difficulty, kidney failure and death. If you have a fever during or after travel to a malaria area, seek medical help urgently the same day and say where you have been, even if you took antimalarials. A blood test is needed to diagnose or rule out malaria.

How can I prevent malaria? The ABCD approach

A: Awareness of risk

Check whether your destination has malaria, and whether risk varies by region or season, using the country pages on TravelHealthPro and your travel clinician's advice.

B: Bite prevention

Use an insect repellent containing DEET (50% is commonly recommended; suitable in pregnancy and for babies over 2 months), applied after sunscreen
Alternatives include icaridin (picaridin), PMD (lemon eucalyptus extract) or IR3535 if DEET is not suitable
Cover up with long sleeves and trousers, especially from dusk to dawn
Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net unless the room is fully screened or air-conditioned

C: Chemoprophylaxis (antimalarial tablets)

Where tablets are recommended, they greatly reduce the risk but do not give complete protection, so bite prevention is still essential. The main options used in the UK are compared below. Which one is suitable for you is decided by a prescriber or pharmacist after reviewing your destination, medical history, other medicines, pregnancy status and previous experience with antimalarials.

Antimalarial	How often	Usual timing	Points to know
Atovaquone with proguanil	Daily	Start 1 to 2 days before entering the risk area; continue for 7 days after leaving	Short course after return; usually well tolerated; take with food
Doxycycline	Daily	Start 1 to 2 days before; continue for 4 weeks after leaving	Can make skin more sensitive to sun; take upright with plenty of water; not for pregnancy or children under 12
Mefloquine	Weekly	Usually start 2 to 3 weeks before; continue for 4 weeks after leaving	Not suitable for people with a history of depression, anxiety, psychosis or seizures; possible neuropsychiatric side effects; UK supply has been affected by shortages

Chloroquine-based regimens are now rarely used for UK travellers because of widespread resistance, and supply of chloroquine products in the UK has been affected by discontinuations. Doxycycline and mefloquine are prescription-only medicines. Atovaquone with proguanil is available on prescription and, for adults, from pharmacies after a pharmacist's assessment. Always finish the full course after you return.

D: Diagnosis

Seek urgent medical advice for any fever or flu-like illness during travel or after returning, and always mention your travel history.

Are antimalarials suitable for children and pregnant women?

Children can take some antimalarials, with doses based on weight, but not every option is suitable. Pregnant women are advised to avoid travel to malaria areas where possible; if travel cannot be avoided, specialist advice is needed because some antimalarials are not suitable in pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a malaria vaccine for travellers?

No. Malaria vaccines are used in children living in parts of Africa, but none is licensed or recommended for UK travellers.

Are malaria tablets free on the NHS?

No. Antimalarials for travel are not NHS-funded, so they are supplied privately after an assessment.

Can I use homeopathic or herbal remedies to prevent malaria?

No. There is no evidence that they work, and UKHSA advises against relying on them.

Do I still need tablets if I grew up in a malaria country?

Yes, if they are recommended for your destination. Protective immunity fades after living in the UK.

Key takeaways

Malaria can be fatal, but is largely preventable.
Follow ABCD: awareness, bite prevention, chemoprophylaxis and prompt diagnosis.
The right antimalarial depends on your destination and health, and is decided after an individual assessment.
Fever after travel to a malaria area needs same-day medical assessment.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

Travelling to a malaria area? Book a travel health consultation at Ready Health in Standish, Wigan. A clinician will assess your trip and health and advise whether malaria prevention is needed and which option, if any, is suitable for you.