Malaria Prevention Tips for Travelers: The Tragic Case of a Taiwanese Businessman Who Didn’t Take His Medication

2023-12-12 06:49:47

In May, a Taiwanese businessman died from malaria for the first time in 18 years! Luo Yijun: He did one thing wrong before going abroad 243

CNEWS Convergence News Network reporter Chen Junkai/Reporting from Taipei

On the followingnoon of the 12th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new death case from imported malaria in China. This is the first death case in China following 18 years since 2005. CDC spokesperson Luo Yijun revealed that the deceased male Taiwanese businessman in his 50s from the south had visited a travel medicine clinic before departing for Nigeria. In the end, he only received a yellow fever vaccine and did not follow the doctor’s recommendations. Taking malaria prophylaxis is the leading cause of death.

The Taiwanese businessman who died went to Nigeria from mid-October to late November this year and stayed there for 40 days. Fever symptoms began to appear 2 days following returning to Taiwan, and he was already seriously ill when he sought medical treatment. He was diagnosed with falciparum malaria on December 1. The next day, his blood pressure was low and he developed symptoms of multiple organ failure, cerebral edema, and septic shock. His condition worsened, and he died 6 days following the onset of illness. die.

Luo Yijun said that malaria is a disease transmitted to humans by the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium. It can be divided into vivax malaria, malaria malaria, falciparum malaria, and ovale malaria; among them, vivax malaria and falciparum malaria are the most common. Falciparum malaria is the most deadly. If the infection is not treated, the mortality rate is 100%. Even with treatment, the mortality rate may reach 10 to 15%.

Lu Jiawen, CEO of the Tourism Medicine Education and Training Center of National Taiwan University Hospital, reminded that post-epidemic tourism continues to recover, and the winter vacation and Spring Festival travel seasons are regarding to begin. Although a malaria-related vaccine is currently being developed, it has not been approved by the US FDA. If people plan to travel, In Central and South America, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and other regions, malaria preventive medicine must be taken.

Lu Jiawen said that there are currently three main types of malaria preventive drugs, including: deoxytetracycline, a mixture of atorquinone and proguanil, and merquinine. The former two are once a day, and the latter is once a week, but all must be Take medication regularly, and start taking it before going to the affected area. You should continue to use it for one to four weeks following leaving the affected area, so that the protection is complete.

Lu Jiawen emphasized that Chinese people should complete the COVID-19 XBB vaccine and influenza vaccine before traveling abroad; and if traveling to malaria-endemic areas, please consult the domestic tourism medical clinic at least one month before traveling abroad, and follow the doctor’s instructions before traveling abroad, and before traveling abroad. Continue to take malaria preventive drugs during this period and following returning home; while traveling, you should also implement good hygiene habits and personal anti-mosquito measures to reduce the possibility of infection and transmission.

In May, a Taiwanese businessman died from malaria for the first time in 18 years! Luo Yijun: He did one thing wrong before going abroad 245

In May, a Taiwanese businessman died from malaria for the first time in 18 years! Luo Yijun: He did one thing wrong before going abroad 247

Photo source: CNEWS file photo/Photo by reporter Chen Junkai

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