Malaria

What is malaria?

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite, Plasmodium. Singapore was certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization in November 1982.

How is malaria transmitted?

Malaria is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

A person infected with malaria may experience fever or chills with shivering.

In severe cases, an infected person may also develop the following symptoms:

• Generalised weakness

• Yellowing of skin and eyes

• Bleeding manifestations

• Inability to eat

• Abnormal breathing pattern or breathing difficulties

• Low blood pressure

• Seizures

• Drowsiness or impaired consciousness

What are the risk factors?

Living in or travelling to malaria-affected areas.

How is malaria treated?

Treatment involves the use of anti-malarial medications in addition to supportive therapy. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is used for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Hospitalisation is needed for severe malaria with complications.

How to prevent malaria?

Individuals living in or travelling to malaria-affected areas are advised to take preventive measures including:

• Starting appropriate chemoprophylaxis, or medicines that can prevent disease before exposure.

• Avoiding exposure to mosquitoes between dusk and dawn, when female Anopheles mosquitoes are most active.

• Staying in rooms which are well-screened from insects from the exterior.

• Wearing long, protective clothing that cover most of one’s body.

• Using effective insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535 as the active ingredient and re-applying every four to six hours on exposed skin.

There is currently no approved vaccine against malaria in Singapore.