Malaria

Please click the frequently asked questions below for further information and IPC precautions required:

• What is Malaria?

  Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite.

  

• How does it spread?

  Malaria is caused by being bitten by an infected mosquito. It can take just 1 bite to get it.

  There is no person to person transmission.

• What are the symptoms of Malaria?

  Malaria can be hard to spot, but symptoms include:

  • a high temperature, sweats and chills
  • headaches and feeling confused
  • feeling very tired and sleepy (especially in children)
  • feeling and being sick, tummy pain and diarrhoea
  • loss of appetite
  • muscle pains
  • yellow skin or whites of the eyes
  • a sore throat, cough and difficulty breathing

  These symptoms usually appear between 7 and 18 days after you’ve been bitten by an infected mosquito.

  But sometimes you may not have symptoms for months after travel, and rarely years.

• Why is this important?

  If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed case this should be communicated to the Control Room (Emergency or Non-emergency as appropriate) and the staff in the receiving unit when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.

• IPC Precautions
  • Standard Precautions should be used.
  • Hand Hygiene should be completed as per the 5 moments in line with usual practice.
  • Eye protection should be risk assessed for any concern regarding a splash risk.
  • Gloves and Aprons should be risk assessed and worn if contact with the patient’s blood or bodily fluids.
  • Laundry should be treated as per usual local policy.
• What cleaning is required?

  All equipment and the ambulance should have an in-between patient clean, paying particular attention to touch points.

• Do staff need prophylaxis or follow up?

  No staff follow up required.