Malaria: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, and First Aid Awareness for Canadians

Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. While malaria does not occur naturally in Canada, Canadians may be exposed when travelling to regions where malaria is endemic. In rare cases, malaria can also be transmitted through contact with infected blood.

Five types of malaria parasites are known to infect humans:

Plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium vivax
Plasmodium ovale
Plasmodium malariae
Plasmodium knowlesi

Among these, Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous and most likely to cause severe complications.

Signs and Symptoms of Malaria

Most instances of malaria can cause symptoms similar to the flu such as high fever, chills and muscle pain.

Malaria often begins with flu-like symptoms, which can make early diagnosis challenging. Symptoms typically appear 7–30 days after infection, but may occur later.

Common symptoms include:

High fever
Chills and shivering
Muscle and joint pain
Headache
Fatigue and weakness
Sweating

Symptoms often occur in cycles, with fever and chills coming and going.

Severe Malaria (Medical Emergency)

Some forms of malaria can progress rapidly and cause serious complications, including:

Damage to the brain (cerebral malaria)
Kidney failure
Lung injury and breathing difficulty
Heart complications
Severe anemia
Loss of consciousness or seizures

These complications can be fatal without prompt medical treatment.

Diagnosis and Medical Treatment

To diagnose malaria, a physician will order blood tests to detect malaria parasites in the bloodstream.

Treatment depends on:

The parasite type
The severity of illness
Travel history
Medication resistance patterns in the region of exposure

While effective medications are available, some malaria parasites can remain dormant in the liver or show resistance to certain drugs, requiring follow-up care.

Anyone in Canada who develops fever or flu-like symptoms after travelling to a malaria-risk region should seek immediate medical assessment and inform healthcare providers of their travel history.

Prevention for Canadians Travelling Abroad

Malaria prevention is critical for Canadians travelling to tropical and subtropical regions.

Preventive measures include:

Taking antimalarial medications before, during, and after travel (as prescribed by a travel health clinic)
Using insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin
Wearing long sleeves and pants, especially at dusk and dawn
Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets
Staying in accommodations with screened windows or air conditioning

It is important to note that preventive medications are not 100% effective, as resistance exists in some regions.

First Aid & Public Health Education Considerations

From a first aid and emergency response perspective, malaria is important because it can cause:

High fever and dehydration
Altered mental status or confusion
Collapse or seizures
Life-threatening complications if untreated

Educational Disclaimer:
This article is intended for health education and first aid awareness only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced First Aid training in Canada emphasizes recognizing severe illness, monitoring vital signs, preventing dehydration, and activating emergency medical services—skills that are essential when assisting someone with suspected malaria or serious infection.