Malaria symptoms can develop as early as 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito or as late as several months after departure from a malarious area, after anti malarial drugs have been discontinued. Malaria can be treated effectively in its early stages, but delaying treatment can have serious consequences. If left untreated, malaria can cause anemia, kidney failure, coma, and death. In spite of all protective measures, travelers occasionally develop malaria. Therefore, while traveling and up to one year after returning home, travelers should seek medical evaluation for any flu-like symptoms.
Protection measures Malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn.
The risk of malaria depends on the traveler's itinerary, the duration of travel, and the place where the traveler will spend the evenings and nights. Protective measures include remaining in well-screened areas, using mosquito nets, and wearing protective clothes that cover most of the body. Insect repellent should be used on exposed skin. The effect should last for about 4 hours. Travelers should use pyrethroid-containing flying insect spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and nighttime hours.