Man dies of malaria imported from Zanzibar in Sumy region
28 May 2025 08:18
A fatal case caused by tropical malaria has been registered in Sumy region. This was reported by the deputy chief state sanitary doctor of the region Halyna Zaitseva, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
on May 25, a resident of Sumy died, who had recently returned from a tourist trip to Tanzania, in particular, to the island of Zanzibar. He was diagnosed with primary tropical malaria.
According to Zaitseva, the last cases of malaria in the region were recorded in 2019 – two residents of Sumy and one person in Konotop fell ill.
Malaria is a dangerous infectious disease transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is most often recorded in Africa, Asia, South and Central America. Symptoms may appear 7-15 days after the bite and may be mild at first: fever, headache, nausea, weakness.
Of the four types of malaria, the most severe is tropical malaria, which is fatal in 40% of cases. The disease is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one through the bites of malaria mosquitoes.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 200 million cases of malaria are registered annually, 90% of which occur in Africa.
Doctors emphasize that if you have returned from abroad and you experience weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, or fever, you should immediately contact your family doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to save lives.
How to protect yourself from malaria while traveling to the tropics
Before traveling, be sure to consult your doctor about preventive medications.
Malaria requires prophylactic medication before, during, and after the trip.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites: use repellents, sleep under a mosquito net, and wear closed clothing.
After returning, closely monitor your health and consult a doctor immediately if you have any symptoms.
