Veit, Olivia, Maniewski-Kelner, Ula, Rothe, Camilla, Eperon, Gilles, Boering, Margarita, Alcedo, Sami, Boecken, Gerhard, Ramharter, Michael, Schel, Noud, Soentjens, Patrick, Staehelin, Cornelia, van Vugt, Michele, Weitzel, Thomas, Visser, Leo G., Schlagenhauf, Patricia, Hatz, Christoph, and Neumayr, Andreas (2024) Methodology of the joint malaria prevention recommendations of Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. Journal of Travel Medicine, 31 (8). taae129.

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Abstract

National malaria prevention recommendations for travellers vary widely. For example, in the USA, almost all travellers to malaria-endemic areas are advised to take malaria chemoprophylaxis1 while in the UK chemoprophylaxis is mainly recommended for those visiting sub-Saharan Africa.2 These differences reflect diverse methodological approaches, as well as differences in health systems, culture, medico-legal aspects and risk tolerance.3 However, such variations can be confusing for clinicians and travellers, as the reasons behind them are not always transparent. In an ongoing effort to discuss and align malaria prevention recommendations according to available evidence, the Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine (ECTM, a committee of the Swiss Society of Tropical and Travel Medicine) and the German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health (DTG) have collaborated for over 20 years. As epidemiological data quality has improved, regional malaria risk assessment has become more objective, leading to more detailed recommendations. Simultaneously, the methodology for data collection and analysis has been refined, enhancing transparency and comprehensiveness. The Belgium Study Group of Travel Medicine and the Netherlands National Coordination Center for Travellers Health Advice (LCR) joined this harmonization initiative in 2021 and 2022, respectively (note: Austria just joined the panel while this article was being written). Here we describe the methodology underlying these joint recommendations, used since 2023. We aim to transparently explain the background and rationale behind the recommendations so as to promote their acceptance and implementation by travel medicine advisors and travellers alike.

Item ID:	84467
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1195-1982
Keywords:	Malaria, methodology, prevention, recommendations, travel
Copyright Information:	© International Society of Travel Medicine 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2025 00:40
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