Malaria in Ethiopia

04 Nov 2024

The World Health Organization reports continued high rates of malaria transmission in Ethiopia.

From 1 January to 20 October 2024, there have been over 7.3 million malaria cases including 1 157 deaths in Ethiopia, the highest number of cases recorded in the last seven years. More than two-thirds of these cases were the more severe P. falciparum form of malaria.

Advice for travellers

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

If you are travelling to Ethiopia, you should:

• understand your risk of malaria, given the current increase in cases
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites during your trip
• make an appointment with a travel health professional because tablets to prevent malaria are advised for all travellers to Ethiopia, except Addis Ababa where mosquito bites must be avoided at all times.. 

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 and Ethiopia country page for further information.