Is it true that individuals born and raised in a malaria country are immune for life?
Individuals raised in areas where malaria is common often suffer repeated attacks of malaria in childhood (and many die from severe malaria). Those who survive slowly develop a partial degree of immunity to malaria that results in a decreased frequency and severity of attacks. However, this immunity never fully protects them from malaria infection (or severe disease) and diminishes quickly once an individual leaves a malarial area. Travellers returning to a malaria risk birth country after a period of absence are at high risk of infection and severe disease from malaria and should take both personal protective precautions against mosquito bites as well as malarial prevention medications.
