A guide on malaria screening for families who have recently arrived from a country where malaria is common
Malaria is an infection spread by the bite of certain mosquitoes. It is common in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, some areas of Asia, and Papua New Guinea. People who have lived in these areas often build up some natural resistance (immunity), but this reduces after moving to a country without malaria. This means your child may have malaria without feeling unwell, and they could become sick weeks or even months after arriving in Australia.
Young children under 5 years are at the highest risk of becoming seriously unwell from malaria. This is why checking for malaria is an important part of the health check after arrival, even if your child feels completely well.
Some families had a health check, including a malaria test, before leaving for Australia. This is helpful information, but your child may still need further testing here, as testing does not always catch every case.
Malaria can cause fever, chills, sweating, headache, tiredness, vomiting, abdominal pain, or cough. These symptoms can be mild and easy to mistake for a common illness. Most children who develop symptoms do so within the first 3 months after arrival, although malaria can occasionally present up to a year later.
If your child develops a fever at any time in the 12 months after arriving from a malaria-affected area, seek medical care and tell the doctor about your migration or travel history. Malaria can make young children seriously unwell quickly, but it is treatable when found early.
Testing is done with a blood sample, usually a finger-prick test, and looking at the blood under a microscope. If the first test is negative but the doctor is still concerned, testing may be repeated over the following days, since malaria can be hard to find in its earliest stages.
If your child tests positive for malaria, they will need to be assessed and treated in hospital. This usually includes a period of observation while treatment starts, so the care team can make sure it is working well and your child is recovering safely. Malaria is treatable, and most children do well with prompt treatment. Some children can be managed at home; if they are very sick, they need to be admitted to hospital.
A follow-up blood test is usually arranged about 4 weeks after treatment finishes, to make sure the infection has fully cleared.
Yes. If one family member is found to have malaria, or if your family has travelled from a malaria-affected area, other family members should also be tested, even if they feel well.