Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in a Tourist Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum (P. Falciparum) causes the most severe form of malaria and has a high case fatality rate. Herein, a 32-year-old male tourist who was diagnosed as having P. falciparum malaria was reported. Although the patient lives in Finland, he had a history of a two-week holiday to Congo Republic. This case report showed that malaria should also be suspected in tourist patients with febrile illness and that travel history to a malaria-endemic region must be questioned. Early diagnosis and appropiate treatment can prevent severe complications and can be life saving.