Airport malaria | |
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Other names |
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Anopheles gambiae mosquito | |
Specialty | Infectious disease |
Symptoms | Unexplained fever associated with
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Causes |
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Diagnostic method |
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Prevention | |
Prognosis | Potentially fatal |
Frequency | Uncommon |
Airport malaria, sometimes known as baggage,[1] luggage[2] or suitcase malaria,[3] occurs when a malaria infected female Anopheles mosquito travels by aircraft from a country where malaria is common, arrives in a country where malaria is usually not found, and bites a person at or around the vicinity of the airport, or if the climate is suitable, travels in luggage and bites a person further away.[4][5] The infected person usually presents with a fever in the absence of a recent travel history.[6] There is often no suspicion of malaria, resulting in a delay in diagnosis.[6] It is typically considered as a diagnosis after other explanations for symptoms have been ruled out.[7]
Most mosquitoes on aircraft do not carry malaria and the few that do are relatively inefficient invaders. The climate of the host country also offers natural protection. The detection and treatment is the same as of malaria in general. Prevention involves control of mosquitoes at and around airports in the countries of departure and on the aircraft.[8]
Studies of airport malaria have been largely observations of individual scenarios, all unique in timing, place of infection and problems, in addition to possibilities of error.[9] The first cases of airport malaria were reported in 1969.[10] Climate change, the rise in international travel, and less frequent aircraft disinfection, have likely played roles in the significant increase in cases between 2010 and 2020 as compared to the previous decade in Europe.[10]
Guillet1998
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Maguin2008
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).