Malaria in non-immune traveller — DTM&H MCQ

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EasyMalariaMalaria in non-immune travellerDTM&H

A 62-year-old tourist develops fever and diarrhoea 12 days after a safari in Tanzania. He took no prophylaxis; examination shows jaundice and mild confusion. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: C — Falciparum malaria

Falciparum malaria is the single best answer because fever in a non-immune returned traveller from sub-Saharan Africa is malaria until excluded, especially with jaundice or confusion. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is plausible in a related presentation, but it is less appropriate because it does not fit the key discriminator in this vignette. The teaching point is that gastrointestinal symptoms may accompany malaria and should not distract from urgent testing.

Reference: WHO Guidelines for malaria, 2025; UKHSA Malaria prevention guidelines for travellers from the UK, 2025; CDC Yellow Book 2026