Terrorism Worries Foreign Travellers More than Malaria Despite Huge Jump in Cases


A survey carried out among 155 travellers from Ireland to malaria areas has revealed that from a list of issues most likely to concern those travelling, the prospect of a terrorist attack is more concerning than malaria infection.

This is despite the fact that in the first 36 weeks of this year, according to provisional data, 75 malaria cases have been notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, an increase of over 125% on the same period in 2005.

The survey, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, also revealed substantial lack of knowledge of malaria health risks among the travelling public. It found that one in five disagreed that malaria was a fatal disease, and one in three disagreed that malaria could kill within 24 hours without treatment – each statement is, of course, true.

Travellers should know that anti-malarial treatment has moved on considerably in recent years; side effects are much less of an issue and treatments are now much more effective and convenient. Length of course – up to one month after return from a malaria endemic area – used to be a frequently mentioned issue. However, this is no longer an issue as more recently available medicines can be taken only a couple of days before departure and for just a week after leaving the malaria risk region.

Dr Graham Fry, Medical Director, Tropical Medical Bureau Ireland, comments: “Taking malaria protection is not just the preserve of backpacking adventurers. It is just as necessary for those travelling to malaria risk areas on short stays as well as long stays, for those staying in five star hotels as in backpacker hostels, and for those staying in cities as those visiting rural areas, jungles or beaches”.

The survey found that half of intending travellers thought malaria could be contracted from water, 16% from food, 13% from cockroaches, 11% from dirty accommodation and 7% from dog bites. None of these views are accurate. One in ten of those surveyed thought that garlic, Vitamin B, or a gin and tonic could provide effective protection, which are also untrue.

The survey responses reinforce the importance of always seeking advice from a health care professional and as much in advance of travel as possible - preferably eight weeks before departure. But even if it is at the last minute, it really is never too late.

For more information on malaria, visit www.malariahotspots.ie
Issued by Don Delaney/Aishling Deegan, Fleishman-Hillard, 01 6188439 / 01 6188482 / 086 8524959.

1 Traveller survey. Research Solutions for GlaxoSmithKline. June 2006.
2 Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Weekly Infection Disease Report, Week 36, 2006. Malaria notification figures (data provisional).


Survey Highlights

• The survey was conducted online and sampled 155 malaria hotspot travellers in May 2006. In terms of sex, the base comprised 68% female and 32% male; in terms of age group, it comprised 35% aged 16-24 years, 46% aged 25-34 years, 10% aged 45-54 years and 9% aged 55 plus; while in terms of social class, it comprised 12% AB, 61% C1 and 28% C2DE. The sample reflected a younger age profile and also a bias towards third level education and those in part-time employment.

• In terms of destinations, 16% were travelling to Mexico in the next year, 15% to Egypt and South Africa, 14% to Turkey and Morocco, 12% to China and Thailand, 9% to Mauritius, 8% to India, 6% to Brazil and Malaysia, and 4% to Cambodia, Peru and the Philippines. Almost five in ten (46%) were travelling for two weeks, four in ten (39%) for two to four weeks, and 15% for more than one month. Trips to more exotic and far-flung locations tended to be of a longer duration.

• When respondents were asked if they were aware of the presence of malaria in their country of destination, almost two in ten (17%) incorrectly said there was no malaria present and five in ten (52%) were unsure - this was particularly evident in those travelling to more mainstream countries such as Mexico, Egypt, South Africa, Turkey and Morocco. This was notwithstanding the fact that seven in ten travellers agreed with the statement “before travelling, I thoroughly research the destination, including health risks”.

• When presented with a list of possible problems and asked as to their level of concern regarding these happening while travelling, the five most commonly cited were: travel delays and cancellations; being robbed or conned; losing passports or other documents; travel safety; sunburn and sunstroke. The threat of contracting malaria ranked ninth on the list of concerns, behind the threat of terrorism.

• Almost five in ten (46%) said they would only sometimes seek travel health advice when travelling outside the European Union, with two in ten (23%) saying they would rarely or never seek advice.

• Of those intending to travel to a malaria area within the next year, just one in four (24%) had sought advice on malaria prior to travel with respondents mentioning, in order of usage, the local GP, travel health centre, online/internet, friends/family, and travel agents, as the source of that information.

• When asked about their awareness of malaria, more than eight in ten (81%) stated they knew only “a bit” or “very little” about malaria. When asked specifically, 21% disagreed that malaria was a fatal disease, and 35% disagreed that malaria could kill within 24 hours without treatment. Each statement is, of course, true. A total of 15% agreed with the statement that you only need to take anti-malarial treatments if staying for a long period of time, 16% agreed with the statement that they wouldn’t consider malaria to be a threat if staying in a five star hotel, 12% agreed with the statement that malaria could only be contracted in rural areas and 8% agreed with the statement that it is only possible to contract malaria while at the beach or eating outside. The opposite is true of each of these statements.

• When presented with a list of possible methods of contracting malaria, 50% erroneously indicated poor or dirty water, 16% food, 13% cockroaches, 11% dirty accommodation and 7% dog bites. When asked as to effective ways of protecting against contracting malaria, 13% erroneously indicated garlic, 14% Vitamin B and 10% a gin and tonic.

Overall, there was poor awareness of destinations with a malaria risk and of malaria itself. Equally, there was a low incidence of taking anti-malaria treatments when travelling to a malaria hotspot.

Before travelling to any tropical or developing country it is important to consult an expert in travel medecine. The Tropical Medical Bureau have clinics in Dun Laoghaire, Grafton Street and Blanchardstown.

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