How to Prevent Malaria at Home

Malaria is still common in Pakistan. WHO reports more than 2 million cases a year, with the heaviest burden in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the former tribal districts. After the 2022 floods, cases rose sharply. Malaria can be deadly, but it is preventable and treatable.

How does malaria spread?

Malaria is caused by a parasite passed on by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes are most active from late evening and through the night. It can also spread through infected blood. Malaria does not pass from person to person like a cold or flu.

How can I stop mosquitoes biting at night?

• Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net. In 2024, 7.8 million nets were given out in high-burden districts of Pakistan.
• Use a mosquito repellent on exposed skin after dusk. Look for products containing DEET, picaridin (icaridin) or IR3535, and follow the label.
• Cover up. Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in the evening.
• Screen windows and doors and fix torn screens. Use air conditioning if you have it.
• Allow indoor spraying by health teams when it is offered in your area.

How do I stop mosquitoes breeding around my home?

Mosquitoes lay eggs in water. Once a week, empty, scrub, turn over, cover or throw away anything that holds water, such as:

• Buckets, drums and water tanks (keep them tightly covered)
• Old tyres, tins and broken pots
• Flowerpot saucers and bird baths
• Children's toys and rubbish left outside

After heavy rain or flooding, check for new pools of standing water near your home.

How do I protect babies and children?

• Children under 5 and pregnant women are more likely to become seriously ill, so make sure they sleep under a bed net every night.
• Dress babies in clothing that covers their arms and legs, and cover prams and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• Do not put repellent on a child's hands, eyes, mouth or irritated skin. Spray it on your own hands first, then rub it onto the child's face.
• Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD repellents on children under 3.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Symptoms usually start 10 to 15 days after an infected bite. The most common early signs are fever, headache and chills, sometimes with muscle aches and tiredness. They can be mild at first, so malaria is easy to mistake for flu.

When to see a doctor

If you live in or have travelled to a malaria area and get a fever, get a malaria test quickly at a health facility. Early testing and treatment prevent severe illness and death.

Get emergency help straight away (call Rescue 1122 where available, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department) for:

• Extreme tiredness, confusion or drowsiness
• Fits (convulsions)
• Difficulty breathing
• Dark urine or yellow skin and eyes
• Unusual bleeding