Malaria in developing countries

Authors

  • Gema Ruiz Lopez del Prado Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain
  • Cristina Hernán García Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain
  • Lourdes Moreno Cea Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain
  • Virginia Fernández Espinilla Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain
  • Mari Fe Muñoz Moreno Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain
  • Antonio Delgado Marquez Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain
  • Maria José Polo Polo Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain
  • Irene Andrés García Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.4610

Keywords:

malaria, travelers, transmission, Plasmodium falciparum, preventive measures

Abstract

Malaria still poses a real threat to travellers, particularly in areas with high transmission rates such as sub-Saharan Africa, Papua New Guinea, and the South Pacific islands. Malaria causes an estimated 660,000 deaths each year from 219 million cases of illness. It is a preventable and curable disease. Malaria symptoms appear after a period of seven days or longer, and without treatment, the disease can lead to death. Mosquito bite prevention is the main way to reduce malaria transmission. Chemoprophylaxis recommendations depend on travelers’ age, destination, type of travelling, or length of stay. Pregnant women, children, and immunosuppressed travelers are the most susceptible. There are currently no licensed vaccines against malaria. Results about a research vaccine candidate known as RTS,S/AS01 are expected in 2015.

Author Biographies

Gema Ruiz Lopez del Prado, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Physician of preventive medicine department.

 

Cristina Hernán García, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Physician of preventive medicine department.

Lourdes Moreno Cea, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Physician of preventive medicine department.

Virginia Fernández Espinilla, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Physician of preventive medicine department.

Mari Fe Muñoz Moreno, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Statistician of research department

Antonio Delgado Marquez, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Physician of preventive medicine department.

Maria José Polo Polo, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Physician of preventive medicine department.

Irene Andrés García, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

Physician of preventive medicine department.

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Published

2014-01-15

How to Cite

1.
Ruiz Lopez del Prado G, Hernán García C, Moreno Cea L, Fernández Espinilla V, Muñoz Moreno MF, Delgado Marquez A, Polo Polo MJ, Andrés García I (2014) Malaria in developing countries. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:001–004. doi: 10.3855/jidc.4610

Issue

Section

Reviews