Malaria-Prevention

Malaria prevention in travelers to endemic areas remains dependent principally on chemoprophylaxis. Although malaria chemoprophylaxis applies to all malaria species, a distinction should be drawn between falciparum malaria prophylaxis and prophylaxis of the relapsing malaria species (vivax and ovale). Whereas the emergence of drug-resistant strains, as well as the costs of and adverse reactions to medications, complicates falciparum prophylaxis, there are virtually no drugs available for vivax prophylaxis, outside of primaquine. Based on malaria data from travelers, a revised recommendation for chemoprophylaxis in low-risk areas should be considered.