A GROWING number of travellers are being diagnosed with malaria in Scotland, with the number climbing 28 per cent in a year.

People who went abroad on business and those visiting friends and relatives in areas where mosquitoes spread the disease account for more than half the cases, according to the latest analysis.

Experts have underlined the importance of taking the full course of anti-malaria tablets when visiting high risk countries, including the doses intended for use after returning home.

Dr Evonne Curran, nurse consultant in infection control for Health Protection Scotland which monitors the illness, said: "People may come home and think, I'm fine, I'm back. But taking the medication as prescribed is absolutely critical."

The new figures show the number of people diagnosed with malaria climbing more sharply in Scotland than the UK as a whole.

In 2014 76 cases of were recorded in Scotland, a 28per cent rise compared with 2013 and the highest figure in the last five years. UK wide there was a 5.7per cent increase in malaria in 2014.

Dr Curran said HPS was not concerned about the increase. However, officials have begun to look more closely at who is catching the disease. "This is the second year of enhanced surveillance," said Dr Curran. "It is to look for which groups are most at risk - where is the message not getting through?"

Malaria is caused by a type of parasite known as plasmodium. When a mosquito carrying plasmodium bites a human, the parasites pass into the bloodstream. Symptoms usually appear between seven and 18 days after infection, although it can take longer. Sufferers can develop a fever, headaches, vomiting and diarrhoea. They are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible because malaria can quickly become a serious illness. Three people died from it in the UK in 2014.

The new analysis, published by Health Protection Scotland, shows three-quarters of those diagnosed with malaria in Scotland last year were men. Four were under the age of 16.

The vast majority had been to Africa and of the 64 patients who explained the reason for their trip 28per cent had been visiting friends or relatives while 23.5per cent were away on business. Ten people described themselves as holiday makers, while six were foreign students. One sufferer came to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games.

The Health Protection Scotland report says "the high proportion of White British travellers merits consideration".

Dr Curran said the rising popularity of more unusual holiday destinations - such as African safaris - was linked to an increase in the number of people contracting malaria.

She added: "Hopefully as more data comes in they will be able to understand who is most at risk, but we do know that going to an endemic area and not taking the tablets are key.

"We have got a way not to get malaria. Take advice before you go on a trip".

The "fitfortravel" websites provides advice and information for those visiting the tropical and subtropical countries where malaria is spread.

As well as taking antimalarial tablets, the site advises travellers to cover their arms and legs outside at night, and to use repellents and screens to keep mosquitoes away.

The report on malaria was released on the same day as new figures showing Scottish hospitals cancelled 396 operations last month for non-medical reasons including bed shortages. The data also showed 415 patients had been stuck in hospitals beds waiting to be discharged for more than two weeks. Most of these patients could not leave hospital because they were waiting for care to be organised in the community.