Malaria victim fires warning over disease

A RETIRED Edinburgh banker who contracted malaria on a visit to Uganda is taking part in a campaign to highlight the dangers of the disease.

Roy Dewar, 62, fell ill after returning from a business trip in the east African country last year.

Rushed to hospital in the Capital after returning home, Mr Dewar was diagnosed with the most lethal form of malaria and would have died had he waited any longer before seeking medical help.

He said: "The more you travel and are fine, the more you think it won't happen to you.

"But it doesn't matter if you are an experienced traveller – absolutely everyone is at risk."

Mr Dewar has now fully recovered but it took him several months to return to normality and become fit again.

Malaria is caused by an infection of the red blood cells and is contracted through mosquito bites.

It is a major killer in many countries where resources for prevention, proper diagnosis and drug treatments are lacking.

This year's Malaria Awareness Week starts on Monday.