Prescribing anti-malarials in the UK

Malaria is a life-threatening febrile illness caused by infection of red blood cells with a parasite called Plasmodium (UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 2023). This parasite is transmitted to humans via bites from infected female night biting Anopheles mosquitoes (World Health Organization (WHO), 2023). Six protozoan parasite species of the genus Plasmodium: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale wallikeri, P. ovale curtisi, P. malariae and P. knowlesi cause human malaria (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 2023). Two of these species; P. falciparum and P. vivax pose the greatest risk (WHO, 2023).

Malaria is a major global public health threat, with transmission occurring in large areas of Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania (ECDC, 2023). The WHO estimates that, in 2021, there were 247 million cases of malaria, with 619 000 deaths. Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the world's malaria burden. In 2020, Africa was home to 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Children under five years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2021, they accounted for nearly 80% of all malaria deaths in Africa (WHO, 2023).