Malaria risk near airports
Those who live close to international airports will be interested to know that it is possible to catch malaria from the bites of mosquitoes that may have ‘hitch-hiked’ a ride on aircraft from exotic locations.
Malaria is transmitted by the bite of a certain type of mosquito and usually occurs only in certain parts of the world. However, cases of malaria have occured in places far away from known malarial areas and these unexpected cases usually happen near airports receiving planes from malarial areas.
Although this is a rare occurrence (roughly one case a year recorded in Europe, and one known case in Australia), several of the affected people have died.
Anyone living near an airport where flights arrive from overseas should keep an eye out for mosquitoes and think of malaria if they have unexplained high fevers.
Last Reviewed: 24 May 2002
