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Malaria in Nigeria

03 May 2012

The Minister of Health for Nigeria has reported that the country has the highest incidence of malaria worldwide. Nigeria accounts for 23% of the global sum of malaria cases, 30% of child deaths from malaria and 11% of maternal deaths from malaria.

Measures to reduce malaria in Nigeria include: this far, the distribution of 46.8 million long lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITN) in 30 states of the country, increasing the use of indoor residual spraying and larviciding, distribution of malaria treatment and commodities and capacity building for health workers.

The Malaria Household Survey conducted in 2010, in 9 states revealed an increase in the number of homes with at least one ITN, up from 2.2% to 88.0% and an increase in the number of children under 5 years-of-age who slept under nets the night before the survey, up from 3.0% to 44.6%.

Advice for Travellers

Nigeria is a high risk destination for malaria and prophylaxis is recommended for travellers. Travellers to Nigeria should discuss their malaria risk with a healthcare professional.

Mosquito bite avoidance and prompt reporting of any fever is also strongly recommended. Counterfeit medicines are common in Nigeria and travellers should obtain the required amount of malaria prophylaxis before departure from the UK. Counterfeit medicines may also make the treatment of malaria unreliable.