Israeli Man Hospitalized With Severe Malaria After Zanzibar Trip

A 25-year-old Israeli man who traveled to Zanzibar on an organized workplace vacation found himself fighting for his life about three weeks after returning home. He was admitted to the public Assuta Ashdod Hospital in serious condition after contracting malaria, a potentially fatal disease if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Now, from his hospital bed, he is urging other travelers to be aware of a risk that is often overlooked.

According to the patient, his symptoms began several weeks after returning to Israel. "I started feeling unusual weakness, and then came a fever of 104 degrees, chills, uncontrollable shaking, body aches, and dizziness."

For four days, he endured a high fever, believing it was a passing viral illness. "Only when my skin started turning yellow and the weakness got worse did my family panic. The doctor at Terem immediately sent me by ambulance to the emergency room."

At the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with malaria. Due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to the intensive care unit, where he remains hospitalized while recovering.

He said that before the trip, he was not informed about the health risks associated with traveling to Zanzibar or the need for preventive medication. Following his ordeal, he is urging others to prepare differently.

"I understand now that you have to check the risks in advance for every destination. I really hope there won't be dozens more employees who get sick."

Professor Tal Brosh, head of the Infection Prevention Unit at the public Assuta Ashdod Hospital, said the young man's condition was critical when he arrived.

"He came to us with advanced malaria that had affected several body systems. Fortunately, he is recovering, but he was definitely in danger of losing his life. He was infected with an aggressive strain of the parasite, one that can be fatal if it isn't diagnosed and treated in time."

Professor Brosh added that a lack of awareness often delays diagnosis even after travelers return home.

"Almost three weeks after he returned, he started suffering from a high fever, but it never occurred to him that it could be malaria. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better the chances of preventing deterioration."

Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the body, the parasite multiplies in the liver and red blood cells and can cause severe, life-threatening illness. Symptoms typically appear between eight and 60 days after infection and may include high fever, chills, shaking, sweating, headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms.

Doctors stress that anyone who develops a fever after returning from a malaria-endemic area should immediately inform their doctor about their recent travel and seek medical evaluation.

Professor Brosh concluded: "You can absolutely travel to Zanzibar and enjoy your vacation, but you must not treat it as just another Mediterranean beach destination. A short visit to a travel clinic before your flight and taking preventive medication can make the difference between a successful vacation and hospitalization in intensive care."