Holidaymakers travelling to exotic destinations this summer have been warned that Britons continue to be vulnerable to contracting malaria.

Statistics released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reveal that more than 1,500 malaria cases were reported last year among British travellers, with five resulting in death.

As a result, the agency is warning Britons to take the necessary precautions before travelling to a country where malaria is prevalent, such as Africa.

Travellers should seek medical advice before going away and take the appropriate prevention drugs, it said.

"Equally as important as protective drugs are measures to prevent mosquito bites, which can include applying insect repellent, wearing cover-up clothing and sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net," commented Professor Peter Chiodini, head of the HPA's Malaria Reference Laboratory.

Most cases of malaria occur in Central and South America, Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East.

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon is set to launch a new campaign to reduce fatal cases of malaria today (April 25th).

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