Malaria in Peru - increased risk

18 Aug 2022

The Peruvian Ministry of Health has reported a widespread increase in malaria case numbers in 2022.  

Malaria cases have been reported from the regions of Loreto, Junín, Amazonas, Cusco, San Martín, Ayacucho, Ucayali, Cajamarca, Lima and La Libertad.

Loreto region and Satipo Province (eastern Junin region) are currently high malaria risk areas.

Advice for Travellers

Malaria is a potentially serious infection that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.

If you travelling to Peru, you should:

• understand your risk of malaria, given the current increase in cases
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites during your trip
• talk to a travel health professional to find out if you may need to take tablets to prevent malaria (antimalarials) during your trip

Also -  

If visiting Loreto region or Satipo Province (eastern Junin region):

• antimalarial tablets are usually advisable, you should make an appointment with a travel health professional

If visiting Amazonas region or western Ayacucho region:

• you should talk to a travel health professional to find out if you should take tablets to prevent malaria if you are at increased risk of catching or developing severe  malaria 

If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or if you have recently returned from a country where malaria is a risk, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.

See the fitfortravel malaria section for further information.