The number of malaria cases reported in Ireland increased by nearly one tenth last year, new figures show.

In 2013, 71 malaria cases were notified, an increase of 9% compared to 65 cases in 201. Twelve malaria cases were reported in children last year.

According to the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the total incidence is now 1.55 per 100,000 population. Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Ireland had the third highest incidence rate among EU member states for imported malaria (among people returning or arriving from abroad) in 2010, the latest year for which comparative European figures are available.

The statistics show that in 2013 the category of traveller coming into Ireland most affected (33 out of 71 cases reported) continued to be African people and their families now resident in Ireland, who were exposed to malaria while returning after visiting their country of origin.

According to the HPSC, this almost certainly reflects the greater frequency with which this group travels to areas where malaria is prevalent, and also reflects Ireland's importance as a destination for those emigrating from West Africa.

The second most frequent category of imported malaria was in those undertaking business/professional travel and in 'foreign visitor ill in Ireland', with three cases in each category. The reason for travel was not reported in 25 cases last year.

Nigeria was the country most frequently visited by returning travellers/visitors who were reported to have malaria, accounting for 49% of total cases.

According to the HPSC, it is important that people born in western and central Africa who take up residence in Ireland and who visit their country of origin with their Irish-born children are made aware of the fact that their children have no innate immunity to malaria.

They are advised to arrange for their children to complete their full course of preventive medication and to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.   

Greece has recently seen the emergence of indigenous malaria, but case numbers are low and have been identified in areas not usually associated with tourism, according to the HPSC.

Travellers to Greece are currently advised that it is not necessary at this stage to take preventive medication against malaria before travelling there, but they should protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Symptoms of malaria include fever, shivering, pain in the joints, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, repeated vomiting, generalised convulsions and coma. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea may also occur. Travellers are advised to take anti-malarial drugs before journeying to malaria-prevalent areas and to try to avoid mosquito bites when abroad.

World Malaria Day is on April 25.

Find out more about malaria here

Staying well when abroad