Website of the week: www.malariahotspots.co.uk
Malaria is not something you should take lightly.
According to www.malariahotspots.co.uk, a travel advice website sponsored by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, on average 2,000 people each year return to the UK with the disease, and nine die from it.
Malaria, which is spread by mostqutioes, can be deadly...
So is the website effective at highlighting the risks of malaria, and reducing the risks of catching it?
Strengths
Yes, it is. The facts - how malaria spreads, how to protect yourself - are clearly explained in down-to-earth language.
There are interesting sections on myths (drinking gin and tonics won't stop you getting bitten by mosquitoes) and 'amazing mozzie facts': apparently, the insects are far more likely to bite when there is a full moon.
In terms of bringing the message home of how grim catching malaria can be, the most powerful section of the website is "been there, been bitten", in which travellers describe on video what happened to them.
Some of the accounts are by celebrities, such as Kate Humble, but most are by ordinary people.
The website is good at highlighting where and how people can catch malaria, but light on the effects of anti-malarial drugs...
Weaknesses
Not everything you need to know is on www.malariahotspots.co.uk. As the website is at pains to point out, you need to contact a health professional to establish which course of anti-malarials is best suited to the country you are planning to visit. It would be helpful if contact details of reputable private travel clinics were given.
Also, some anti-malarial tablets cause nasty reactions in some people, and the website is somewhat dismissive of this issue.
See www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk for a run-down of different anti-malarials and their possible side effects.
Ratings
Inspiring 2/5
Useful 4/5
Easy to use 5/5
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