Page last updated
15 December 2021
There are two main ways to prevent malaria infection: by preventing mosquito bites and by taking anti-malarial medication.
FAQ
How can malaria be prevented?
Ways to prevent mosquito bite include:
- Wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Using high strength mosquito repellent on exposed skin and clothes. If also using sunscreen, make sure to apply sunscreen first and then the repellent.
- Using clothing and equipment such as boots and tents treated with permethrin (an insecticide).
- Being extra vigilant at dawn and dusk (peak mosquito biting hours).
- Removing or covering still water, e.g. water buckets.
- Sleeping in a room where windows and doors are closed or screened or using a bed net if the room is exposed to the outdoors. Use “Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets” (LLINs) in preference to “Insecticide-Treated Nets” (ITNs).
- Spraying the indoor surfaces of houses and living quarters with residual insecticides.
There are several different anti-malarial medications available and your doctor will be able to decide which one is most suitable for you depending on your itinerary. These need to be taken before, during and after your trip.
For further information regarding malaria and its prevention, speak with your healthcare professional.
Sources & Citations
- NSW Government, Department of Health, Malaria fact sheet. Available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/malaria.aspx (accessed 10 November 2021).
- Victorian State Government, Better Health Channel, Malaria. Available at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/malaria (accessed 10 November 2021).
MAT-AU-2102441 Date of preparation December 2021
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