World Malaria Day 2025: Essential Travel Tips for Malaria-Prone Areas

World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25th to raise awareness about malaria prevention, treatment, and elimination. It was established in May 2007 by the 60th session of the World Health Assembly — the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is one of 11 official global public health campaigns recognized by WHO.

Globally, 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, most active from dusk to dawn.

World Malaria Day 2025 Theme:

The theme for World Malaria Day 2025 is “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”. This theme aims to raise awareness about it worldwide.

Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas of MedBound Times connected with Dr. Swetha P, BDS, MPH, for her insights on "How to Prepare for Malaria-Endemic Areas". Dr. Swetha is a Project Scientist 1 (Medical) at ICMR NCDIR (National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research), Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Here’s what she shared:

Travel Tips: How to Prepare for Visiting Malaria-Endemic Areas

Preparation is key to decreasing your risk of contracting malaria if traveling to an area where malaria is endemic. Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite and is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, which is most active from dusk to dawn

1. Consult with a Health Care Provider Prior to Travel
At least 4–6 weeks before travel, consult a travel health clinic or health care provider to review the risk of malaria in countries you plan to visit and how to prevent it. A health care provider may be able to prescribe certain antimalarial medications (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine), depending on which countries you plan to travel to, your health, and local resistance patterns of malaria parasites. Some medications need to be taken 1–2 weeks before travel and continued during and after the trip (generally 1–4 weeks post-trip, depending on the medication).

2. Use Insect Repellents
Use insect repellents that contain DEET or picaridin and apply the repellent to all exposed skin. It will be necessary to reapply as instructed, taking added caution to reapply the repellent to exposed skin after sweating or swimming. Select insect repellents that are EPA-registered and follow the labeling directions. For children, do not apply insect repellent to their hands or near the eyes and mouth.

3. Wear Protective Clothing
When traveling in areas that have a lot of mosquitoes, especially during dusk and dawn, wearing long sleeves, long pants, socks, and shoes is important to help stop them from biting you. Clothing that contains tight fabric is not recommended, since mosquitoes can still bite through the fabric. Light-colored clothing is preferable to absorb less heat. Permethrin-treated clothing provides another option to consider and is often used with insect sprays for additional protection.

4. Sleep Under Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets
When you sleep, use a long-lasting insecticidal net, particularly when the specific area does not have air conditioning or screening. Because mosquitoes enter nets through gaps in the netting and where it contacts the mattress or sleeping surface, tuck the netting under the mattress or sleep surface edge and repair any rips or tears quickly.

5. Stay in Lodging with Screens or Air Conditioning
When selecting lodging, choose places that have screened windows and doors, air conditioning, or some form of mosquito-proofing. When doors or windows are closed (or screened), mosquitoes cannot enter. If staying at open-air lodging such as beach lodges, use bed nets and repellents frequently.

6. Know the Symptoms of Malaria and Get Treatment Promptly
When traveling or living in areas where malaria is endemic, make sure to watch for symptoms of malaria (e.g., fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue) while you are traveling and for up to one year after travel. Seek medical care immediately if you develop any symptoms. You need to tell your health care provider about where you have traveled or lived before making a diagnosis, because malaria can be confused with many other febrile illnesses. Remember, for malaria, a rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to minimize complications.

7. Avoid Certain Behaviors
While in an endemic area, do not assume that your chances of getting malaria are low and do not behave as if they were, especially since most mosquitoes that transmit malaria are active at night and in the early morning (i.e., dusk to dawn). To maximize your safety, limit outdoor exposure at dusk or later into the night—ideally before 9:00 p.m. Likewise, avoid standing water, which serves as breeding ground for mosquitoes. When outside, use a fan or blower to create a natural air current and deter mosquitoes. Be particularly cautious if you find yourself in rural or forested areas where the risk of contracting malaria is likely to be higher.

Final Word

Whether you're an adventurer, a business traveler, or visiting family abroad — a little preparation can go a long way in protecting your health. This World Malaria Day, let’s commit to awareness, prevention, and action — because malaria ends with us.

Reference:

1. World Health Organization. "Malaria." WHO India. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.who.int/india/health-topics/malaria.

2. World Health Organization. "World Malaria Day 2025." WHO. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-malaria-day/2025.

_MSM/DP