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Killer airport and stuff spreading across Europe What is malaria? Know everything about this parasitic disease
Malaria, caused by the bites of infected mosquitoes carried on planes or in luggage, is on the rise across Europe, a new study has found. These cases of ‘suitcase or luggage malaria’ – also known as Odyssean malaria – have increased over the past five years. According to experts, even though malaria was eradicated in Western Europe in the 1970s, climate change has led to an increase in cases of this deadly mosquito-borne disease.
Odyssean malaria refers to cases that come from the bite of an infected mosquito carried by aircraft luggage from an area where malaria has been found.
There has been a rise in cases of deadly diseases carried by mosquitoes across Europe, raising concerns. “Suitcase and airport malaria” – also known as Odyssean malaria, has been found in people returning from holidays.
An international team of scientists has identified 145 cases between 2018 and 2022, where 105 were classified as airport malaria, 32 as luggage malaria, and in eight cases, investigators did not differentiate between the two types. . More than a third of the cases reported since 2000 were at the peak in 2019, according to findings published last week in the journal Nature. Eurosurveillance,
Experts say Odyssean malaria refers to cases that come from the bite of an infected mosquito transported by plane, luggage or parcel from an area where malaria has been found.
Most cases were found in France
The study said the highest number of cases of malaria at airports were recorded in France, Belgium and Germany. Patients often worked at or lived near an international airport, with men disproportionately affected.
According to research, even though malaria was eliminated in Western Europe about 50 years ago, locally acquired infections are still being detected, including infections transmitted by a local mosquito after biting an infected returning traveller. , also includes induced cases related to other means of transmission. Such as mother-to-child transmission, and now Odyssean malaria.
To combat the threat of Odyssean malaria, researchers recommend strictly implementing disinfection of aircraft, as per guidelines issued by the World Health Organization. To improve treatment, they also recommended that physicians consider the possibility of locally acquired malaria for patients with unexplained fever, even if they had no travel history.
at least Nine Odyssean malaria patients died
Of the 133 cases with known results, 124 patients recovered and nine died, the scientists said. Most of those infected were in their 30s and those who died were in their 50s.
A separate analysis of surveillance and case investigation data showed that 117 cases of locally acquired malaria were reported in France between 1995 and 2022. Half of the people affected were born in a country in Africa, where malaria is common, and the other half were born in another country. In France.
According to experts, as temperatures rise, malaria cases will become common in parts of the world previously unaffected by climate change. To reduce the risk of getting malaria, the NHS recommends you consult a doctor before traveling to a country where this mosquito-borne disease is common.
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