Thousands of new parasites migrate to her salivary glands, to be injected via the saliva into the next human host. The incubation period varies from 10 - 30 days and may even be as little as 7 days. The incubation period may be prolonged if the person took malaria preventitive drugs, but for an insufficient time period. No drugs are fool-proof, but may help limit the severity of the malaria. Medical help should be sought immediately if malaria is suspected.
Young children are also at special risk if they contract malaria as they can become seriously ill.
If untreated, malaria can lead to severe complications such as anaemia and jaundice. The diagnosis of malaria should be an early and serious consideration for any patient with fever who has travelled to or originates from a malaria area. The diagnosis must be comfirmed by means of blood samples taken often over a 72 hour period before malaria can be excluded. Malaria is a notifiable disease. The doctor must notify the local Health Authority, preferably on a notification form, otherwise telephonically.