Two Women in Lviv Region Contract Tropical Malaria After Tanzanian Holiday

Tropical Malaria Cases Confirmed in Lviv Region

According to Главком: Two women in the Lviv region have been diagnosed with tropical malaria following a holiday in Tanzania. The patients, aged 40 and 45, vacationed on the island of Zanzibar from January 19 to 29, 2026. While in Tanzania, they received numerous mosquito bites but had not taken any malaria chemoprophylaxis. Prior to their trip, they were vaccinated against yellow fever. This incident highlights the persistent health risks for travelers to tropical destinations, even with some preventative measures in place.

Symptoms and Treatment

The first symptoms appeared on February 7-8. The women experienced general weakness, muscle and joint pain, a fever of up to 38.7°C (101.7°F), shortness of breath, and nausea. On February 12, one patient developed jaundice and her fever subsided, prompting both to seek medical help at a disease control center.

Laboratory blood tests confirmed the presence of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite with a high level of parasitemia. As of February 16, the patients are being treated at the Lviv Regional Infectious Disease Clinical Hospital. Their condition has improved after the start of intensive treatment, and there is no threat to their lives. It is important to note that while mosquitoes capable of transmitting malaria exist in Ukraine, the local species differ from the African vectors.

This case underscores the critical need for specific preventative measures when traveling to malaria-endemic regions. Vaccination against yellow fever offers no protection against malaria. Travelers are strongly advised to take precautions such as:

• using insect repellent;
• taking prescribed antimalarial medication (chemoprophylaxis).

Heightened awareness of such imported cases is vital for preventing potential local transmission in Ukraine, where rare instances of malaria can occur. Public knowledge of the risks and seeking prompt medical attention are key factors in managing these diseases effectively.