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As northern parts of South Africa begin their summer and rainy season, visitors to areas where malaria is endemic are urged to take care to protect themselves from the dangerous disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
A number of cases have been reported in areas where it was thought to have been eliminated, such as the Waterberg district in northeastern Limpopo province, said Dr. Peter Vincent of Netcare Travel Clinics and Medicross Tokai.
"The summer rainy season in northern South Africa is badociated with an increase in the number of malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes and a significantly increased risk of contracting the disease in endemic areas of Africa." 39, Southern Africa. The risk is highest between September and May, which is considered a "malaria season" in South Africa, "added Dr. Vincent.
Malaria infection can lead to serious complications, especially if it is not identified and treated at an early stage. Travelers should do their homework before traveling to areas where malaria may be present. Make sure you know where these areas are and understand what types of precautions may be needed before your trip.
Malaria is a risk in the northern areas of Limpopo Province, Eastern Mpumalanga and North KwaZulu-Natal, as well as parts of neighboring countries such as Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Dr. Vincent noted that NICD earlier this year had warned that the risk of contracting malaria was increased in endemic areas both inside and outside the country's borders. country. In addition, based on its infection data, the NICD proposed for the first time since 2013 to modify its Malaria Risk Map for South Africa.
The map, published in the NICD Communicable Disease Communiqué of September 2018 and yet to be approved by the Ministry of Health at the time of writing, proposes to expand low-risk malaria areas as far west than Lephalale, in Limpopo province. and at medium risk beyond Musina in the west and Hoedspruit in the northwest.
The NICD recommends visitors to low-risk areas to take precautions against mosquito bites, but recommends additional measures, including the use of appropriate prophylaxis, when visiting medium and high risk areas in southern Africa.
When visiting one of the high-risk areas, we recommend that you adopt a comprehensive prevention strategy that includes not only the use of a prophylaxis medication prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, but also take the necessary measures to avoid bites. mosquito.
Those visiting an area where there is a risk of contracting malaria should use insect repellents containing DEET on all areas of the exposed skin and sleep under DEET-impregnated mosquito nets at any time of the year.
Although it can be active all day in overcast weather, the mosquito carrying malaria usually feeds from dusk to sunrise and advises people to change into long-sleeved shirts and blouses, pants and socks. in the evening approach.
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