Malaria does occur in Central America and is something to be more concerned about if you are venturing into more rural areas. There are Malaria tablets that can be taken before and during your visit. Other precautions include keeping covered at Dusk and Dawn and whenever venturing deep into the Jungle. You should consult with your health advisor or Doctor before your visit to make the adequate arrangements. For further information visit www.cdc.gov, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Malaria is caused by four different species of a parasite called Plasmodium. These are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae. Plasmodium falciparum is frequently fatal if untreated. Malaria due to the other three species may cause high fever up to 106, but they are seldom fatal. However, some patients suffer relapse. The parasite is injected during the bite of the female anopheline mosquito.

The World Health Organization estimates that 300 to 500 million cases of malaria occur each year and more than one million people die annually of malaria. About 1,200 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, mostly immigrants and travelers returning from malaria-risk areas. A few cases result from blood transfusions, as passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy, or are transmitted by locally-infected mosquitoes.

Malaria is diagnosed by looking for the parasites in a drop of blood. Blood will be put onto a microscopic slide and stained so that the parasites will be visible under a microscope. Any traveler who becomes ill with fever or flu-like illness while traveling or up to one year after returning home should immediately seek professional medical care. You should tell your health care provider that you have been traveling in a malaria-risk area.

Malaria can be cured with prescription drugs. The type of drugs and length of treatment depend on which kind of malaria is diagnosed, where the patient was infected, the age of the patient, and how severely ill the patient was at the start of treatment.

Visit your health care provider four to six weeks before foreign travel for any necessary vaccinations and a prescription for an anti-malarial drug. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially from dusk to dawn -- this is the time when mosquitoes that spread malaria bite. Sleep under a mosquito bed net that has been dipped in Permethrin insecticide if you are not living in screened or air-conditioned housing.