AceShowbiz - British singer Cheryl Cole collapsed at the weekend after contracting deadly disease malaria during a trip to Tanzania last month, according to U.K. reports. The Girls Aloud star sparked fears for her health after fainting during a photoshoot in London on Saturday, July 3.

Initial reports suggested the singer was suffering from exhaustion and a severe stomach bug due to her heavy workload. However, Britain's The Sun reports that the star's illness stems from catching mosquito-borne illness malaria while visiting Africa in June and that she is currently under medics' watch in hospital.

A source tells the publication, "She told doctors she'd had stomach pains since her return from Tanzania. On Sunday evening her condition deteriorated so rapidly she knew it was something serious. She'd spent 48 hours in bed trying to sleep off what she thought was a stomach bug. She was extremely weak, sweating and drifting in and out of consciousness. She was driven to hospital where tests showed malaria. Everyone is really concerned. She is very ill."

The star's representative confirmed on Monday that Cole was ordered to take time off by doctors and that she would not be able to work for at least a week.