The UK P&I Club has highlighted the importance of having the correct malaria medicine on board vessels following recent fatal incidents.
Sophia Bullard, its crew health programme director, said: “Recently, UK P&I Club members reported two cases of death and two cases of serious illness due to malaria.
"These cases arose despite the crew member being on medication to prevent the disease."
She added: "It was later found that the crew members either did not have the correct medication, for the countries they were travelling to, or they were unsure about the correct dose they should be taking."
Most cases are contracted in sub-Saharan Africa, but regions such as South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific and the Americas are also at risk.
Symptoms include nausea, high fever, chills, sweating and muscle pain.
The club advises that crews carry the correct medication for each region.
Care should also be taken to ensure there is no stagnant water anywhere on a vessel and no crew members sleep on deck.
Repellent sprays and mosquito nets that have been treated with an effective insecticide should also be used.
The club said: “Despite falling cases of malaria and related malaria deaths worldwide, the disease continues to be a real threat to seafarer welfare.
"As always, prevention is better than cure, and by adhering to and implementing recommended measures, shipowners can mitigate against the risk of crew contracting the infectious disease.”
