Two cases of malaria imported from West Africa by two sailors (falciparum and vivax respectively) are reported. It is pointed out that nowadays malaria is no longer indigenous to Sicily but has to be imported; an increasing number of cases of malaria are being reported world-wide in relation to increased traffic volumes, particularly air traffic. This means growing importance of imported pathology for which a new training strategy is required (with regard to young physicians who at present are quite uniformed of the problem). Doctors and travellers should also be informed of the risk of contracting malaria.