Malaria in Australia - Torres Strait

02 Aug 2023

Queensland health authorities report 3 cases of malaria on Saibai Island, in the Torres Strait. A previousmalaria case was detected on Boigu Island in early July 2023. Malaria does not usually occur anywhere in Australia: these are the first cases seen in the Torres Strait since 2013. 

Mosquito control measures have been carried out on Boigu and Saibai islands, as well as door-to-door screening for symptoms in the local population. Health authorities have advised rigourous mosquito bite avoidance.

Advice for Travellers

Malaria is a potentially serious infection transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.

If you are travelling to the Torres Strait, you should:

• understand your risk of malaria
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites at all times during your trip, to help prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne infections
• where possible, reduce the number of mosquitoes in and around your accommodation.

If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or after you return home from an area where malaria is a risk, seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.

See the fitfortravel malaria section for further information.