Travellers have reportedly been warned of the dangers of malaria after the number of Britons dying from the disease nearly doubled in a year.
According to The Independent newspaper, 16 British people died from the disease last year, compared to nine the year before.
The figures were released to mark the launch of Malaria Awareness Week, sponsored by Glaxo SmithKline, manufacturers of the anti-malaria drug Malarone.
The newspaper reports that some seven million Britons travel to malaria-affected regions each year; around 2,000 return to the UK with the disease and, while the vast majority are treated successfully, a few die from the condition.
The famous adventurer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, is quoted as saying: “Travellers need to understand that this is a potentially fatal disease and everyone is susceptible.”
The Independent reports a survey that showed 50 per cent of travellers did not seek health advice when they should have; many thought malaria was not a serious disease, while others thought the fact they were staying in luxury accommodation afforded them some sort of protection.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad
