Malaria Prevention
Malaria Prevention Brisbane
Malaria is a serious and sometimes life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Australia was certified as being malaria free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1981. However, it remains a significant health risk in many tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America.Â
While a malaria vaccine is not currently available in Australia, there are effective preventive measures, including antimalarial medications, that may help reduce your risk. At Narangba Station Medical Centre, our GPs provide personalised travel health consultations to assess your needs and advise on whether antimalarial medicines and other preventive strategies are suitable for you.
Book a Consultation today.
Protect yourself before you travel—book a consultation with our team today. To schedule your consultation, call us on (07) 3521 4333, click below to book online, or download the AMS Connect app.
Opening Hours
We're open 7 days a week with late-night availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekend appointments are also available to all patients.
Prepare for Safe Travels
Malaria poses a significant risk to travellers visiting endemic regions, particularly in rural or forested areas where mosquito populations are abundant. If you’re planning a trip to a high-risk area, a consultation with our GPs will help you understand your risk and develop a comprehensive protection plan tailored to your destination.
Where is Malaria found?
Malaria is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, including:
- Sub-Saharan Africa (where the risk is highest)
- Parts of Asia, including India and Southeast Asia
- Central and South America
- Eastern Europe
- South Pacific
Areas with stagnant water, dense vegetation, or warm climates are particularly prone to mosquito activity. It’s important to take preventive steps if your travel plans include any of these regions.
To reduce your risk:
- Speak to our GPs about whether antimalarial medications are appropriate.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
- Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers in mosquito-prone areas.
Our doctors at Narangba Station Medical Centre are here to help you stay informed and prepared for your trip.
How is Malaria spread?
Malaria is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium parasites. Once bitten, the parasites enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver, where they multiply before infecting red blood cells. Malaria cannot be spread from person to person, but it can be transmitted through blood transfusions or sharing needles in rare cases.
Preventive medications and personal protective measures are essential for reducing your risk of infection.
Malaria Symptoms
Despite all precautions, malaria can still occur and it’s important for you to familiarise yourself with symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches, which may appear 7–30 days after a mosquito bite. Sometimes symptoms develop weeks or months after infection.Â
The most common symptoms of malaria include:
- High fever and chills
- Sweating and fatigue
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
In severe cases, malaria can cause complications such as breathing difficulty, organ failure, cerebral malaria, or anaemia, which can be life-threatening without prompt treatment.
Long-Term Complications
If left untreated, malaria can lead to serious complications, such as:
- Cerebral Malaria: A severe form of the disease that affects the brain, leading to seizures, confusion, or coma.
- Organ Damage: The disease can harm vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, or lungs.
- Anaemia: Due to the destruction of red blood cells, severe anaemia can occur.
Taking proactive measures, including antimalarial medications and personal protection, is key to reducing these risks.
Schedule a consultation with our experienced team at Narangba Station Medical Centre to receive a personalised travel health plan based on your travel itinerary.
How to Protect Yourself Against Malaria?
Protecting yourself against malaria involves a combination of prevention measures to minimise your exposure and reduce your chances of infection. Whenever possible, try to avoid spending time in areas where mosquitoes are abundant, such as dense vegetation, wetlands, or areas with poor drainage.Â
However, if you must visit these locations below are some tips to protect against malaria.
1. Sleep Under a Mosquito Net
If you're staying in areas where malaria is prevalent, use a mosquito net treated with insecticide to protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes while sleeping. This is particularly important in rural or remote locations without screened accommodation.
2. Use Insect Repellent
Apply a high-quality insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or other proven ingredients to exposed skin and clothing. Reapply as directed, especially in areas with heavy mosquito activity.
3. Stay Indoors During Peak Mosquito Hours
Mosquitoes that carry malaria are most active from dusk to dawn. Limit outdoor activities during these hours and ensure windows and doors are screened or kept closed.
4.Take Antimalarial Medication
Before travelling to a malaria-risk area, consult your doctor about antimalarial medications. These medications do not prevent bites but significantly reduce the risk of developing malaria if you are exposed. It's important to take them as prescribed, both before and after your trip.
5. Wear Protective Clothing
When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and socks. This helps to minimise skin exposure and prevent being bitten. Light-coloured clothing is preferable, as it is less attractive to mosquitoes.
6. Avoid Stagnant Water
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so try to avoid staying near lakes, ponds, or uncovered water containers. If possible, eliminate standing water around your accommodation.
Fees & Process
Anti-malaria medication and any other medications subscribed are generally privately billed, with detailed costs discussed during your initial consultation.Â
During this consultation, your doctor will review your medical history, evaluate your risk of exposure, and recommend a travel health schedule tailored to your needs. The process involves a comprehensive consultation, prescribing medication and vaccinations as needed, and personalised advice on protecting yourself from malaria, particularly if you’re travelling to high-risk areas.
We aim to make the vaccination process smooth and hassle-free, so you can focus on planning your trip. To book your consultation, call us at (07) 3521 4333Â or book online today.
For a detailed overview of all our practice fees, please visit our Fees page.
Why Choose NSMC?
Conveniently located next to Narangba Train Station, NSMC combines accessibility, affordability, and high-quality medical services to meet the diverse healthcare needs of north Brisbane residents. Our experience medical team, led by Dr. Madhu Lakshmaiah, ensures personalized, patient-centered care with holistic solutions to a variety of health concerns. We're open 7 days a week with after-hours availability and our patients also benefit from the convenience of on-site blood tests, free parking, and proximity to a local pharmacy.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about preventative care and medication available for Malaria? No problem! Here are the most commonly asked questions our GPs receive about Malaria Prevention in Brisbane.
Antimalarial medications are recommended for travellers heading to regions where malaria is prevalent, including parts of Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific. Our experienced GPs will assess your travel destination, the time of year, and your overall health to determine whether antimalarial medication is necessary for your trip. This personalised approach ensures you receive the most appropriate protection.
The side effects of antimalarial medications can vary depending on the type prescribed. Common side effects may include nausea, dizziness, stomach upset, or vivid dreams, though not everyone experiences them. Your GP will take your medical history and any existing conditions into account to recommend the medication that is best suited to your needs, minimising the risk of side effects wherever possible.
Yes, certain antimalarial medications are safe and effective for children. Protecting children is especially important, as they can be more vulnerable to malaria. Our caring GPs will evaluate your child’s age, weight, and health status to determine the most suitable medication and dosage to keep them safe during your travels.
While antimalarial medication is a crucial part of malaria prevention, additional measures are just as important. Use insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin, wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to minimise exposed skin, and sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide. Avoid staying near stagnant water, as mosquitoes breed in these environments, and try to remain indoors during peak mosquito activity hours from dusk to dawn.
Malaria is not endemic in Australia thanks to the country's advanced public health systems. However, cases do occur in people returning from high-risk regions or in rare instances of imported infections. If you’re travelling to or returning from an area where malaria is present, it’s vital to remain vigilant and seek medical advice promptly if symptoms develop.
To ensure you have enough time to plan and prepare for your trip, it’s advisable to book your travel consultation at least 4–6 weeks before departure. This allows time for your GP to discuss any required antimalarial prescriptions, address vaccination needs, and provide tailored travel advice based on your destination. For last-minute travel, consultations can still be arranged, but early planning is ideal for comprehensive protection.
Contact & Bookings
To make an appointment, please call reception or use our online booking system via the button below. You can also visit our contact page to see further details about our location and directions.
Bookings are available from as early as 7AM on weekdays and Saturday. We are also open Sunday afternoon and late evening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8:30PM.Â
Can't find us? - We are situated across the road from Narangba Train Station next to the Narangba Village shopping complex. Look for signs for Narangba Health Centre and IGA.
Serving patients in Narangba, Burpengary, Dakabin, Deception Bay, Morayfield, North Lakes and North Brisbane surrounds