Travellers

News

4 October 2012

Malaria in Greece update – new area

As of 12 September 2012, nine locally acquired cases of malaria have been reported in Greece since the beginning of the year [1].

Eight of the cases have occurred in the regions of Laconia and Attica. The most recently reported case occurred in a new area, the municipality of Abdera in Xanthi region. All cases have been confirmed as Plasmodium vivax.

Greece was declared malaria-free in 1974, however sporadic cases have been reported annually since 2009 [1, 2]. The Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has responded to these cases by improving surveillance, implementing mosquito control measures in affected areas and educating health care providers and the public.

Advice for travellers

The risk of malaria in travellers to these areas of Greece is low [3]. Other mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile virus also occur in Greece [4] and all travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures.

At the present time antimalarial tablets are not recommended for travellers to Greece.

NaTHNaC will continue to monitor the situation and post updates as further information becomes available.

Advice for health professionals

Health professionals who see febrile travellers from these areas of Greece should be alert to the possibility of malaria. An algorithm for the initial assessment and management of malaria in adults is available.

References

1. Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KE.EL.P.NO), Greek Ministry of Health. Malaria in Greece season 2012 (01/01/12 to 12/09/12). [In Greek]. [Accessed 4 October 2012]. Translation available at: http://tinyurl.com/bucwqqs

2. NaTHNaC. Malaria: Prefectures of Lakonia (Peloponnese) and Evoia (Euboea), Greece – update. 2 November 2011. [Accessed 4 October 2012]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/greece_malaria1_

021111.htm

3. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.  Epidemiological update: Malaria risk to travellers in Greece remains low. 7 September 2012. [Accessed 4 October 2012]. Available at: http://tinyurl.com/8bxr3qq

4. NaTHNaC. West Nile virus (human): Greece. 13 August 2012. [Accessed 4 October 2012]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/wnv_greece_

130812.htm

Links