Health Alert
Malaria in Cyprus
Updated October 3, 2017What is the current situation?
The United Kingdom has reported three cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria in UK residents who traveled to Esentepe (also known as Agios Amvrosios) in the Kyrenia District in northern Cyprus. Cyprus was certified as malaria-free in 1967, and since then, there have been no reports of malaria in Cyprus until now. However, the mosquitoes that spread malaria are found in the area.
What can travelers do to prevent malaria?
At this time, CDC recommends that travelers to Esentepe (Agios Amvrosios) take medicine to prevent malaria. Effective options include atovaquone-proguanil, chloroquine, doxycycline, mefloquine, and primaquine.
Because malaria is spread by mosquito bites, all travelers to Cyprus should also prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent when outdoors, wearing protective clothing, and sleeping in an air-conditioned or well-screened room or under an insecticide-treated bed net. Learn more about malaria, how to prevent it, and what to do if you think you are infected at CDC’s malaria page for travelers.
Traveler Information
Malaria Traveler Brochure
Avoid Bug Bites
CDC Malaria Website
Clinician Information
Malaria in CDC Health Information for International Travel (“Yellow Book”)
Malaria and Travelers
Malaria Diagnosis & Treatment in the United States
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Page created: September 28, 2017
Page last updated: September 28, 2017
Page last reviewed: September 28, 2017
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ)