Malaria still remains one of the most common causes of fever in returned travellers. Approximately 30,000 cases of travel-related malaria are reported annually throughout the world. The majority come from Africa. Between 600 and 800 cases of malaria are reported in travellers after returning to Australia each year.

The recent updated foreign affairs advisories for South East Asian countries and a report on early morning television have once again heightened concerns about a global influenza outbreak or “world pandemic”. What do these reports mean? Has anything changed? Should travellers to Asia be advised to carry antiviral medications?