Rapid whole genome sequencing of Plasmodium DNA from cryptic malaria cases in UK travellers provides insights into infection origins, transmission, and antimalarial resistance

This study highlights the power of real-time WGS and AI-enhanced tools for high-resolution malaria genomic surveillance. By enabling rapid characterisation of cryptic and imported cases, this approach supports timely public health responses, including targeted epidemiological investigations and, where appropriate, the de-escalation of entomological surveillance. In doing so, it helps sustain malaria elimination in non-endemic settings.