Gap year risks

Find out why a third of gap year travellers are putting their lives at risk by not taking precautions against malaria

As many as 41% do not sleep under a mosquito net in areas where the disease is prevalent, a survey found.

Overall, 25% of gap year tourists did not obtain travel health advice before their trip, according to the survey conducted by Gapyear.com for the Malaria Awareness Campaign.

Of the near-1,000 gap year travellers polled, 10% did not use essential prevention methods such as mosquito repellent.

Gapyear.com founder Tom Griffiths said: "An estimated 250,000 gap year students will head off on trips this year and more than three quarters will visit malaria-endemic areas.

"By not taking the necessary precautions, we believe hundreds are needlessly becoming seriously ill from malaria each year. In this day and age, backpackers should not be putting their lives at risk from this disease. It is a preventable death, stopped by simple education."

Dr George Kassianos of the Malaria Guidelines Committee said: "Gap year travellers are particularly at risk of malaria due to the nature of their travels to exotic and often rural locations. It is essential that all travellers seek guidance from their GP, practice nurse or travel clinic at least six to eight weeks prior to travelling."

Every year between 1,500 and 2,000 people return to the UK with malaria and on average nine people will die.

Over the past 10 years, there has been a 191% increase in travel to malaria-rife destinations.