South Africa: South Africa releases malaria alerts for travellers. South Africa being a malaria-endemic country is very vulnerable to travellers from non-endemic malaria areas told to the South African Government.
With coming of the summer season marks the start of the malaria period in South Africa due to the higher temperature and increased in rainfall in the malaria transmission areas.
Malaria endemic provinces are provinces wherein malaria local transmission occurs in South Africa these are Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The government also shared guidelines stating to take malaria chemoprophylaxis as per your health practitioner’s recommendations.
The government asked travellers to avoid mosquito bites by using personal protection or staying indoors between 6 pm and 6 am.
Guidelines include personal protection includes: –
- Wearing long sleeves and long trouser clothing and socks in the evening
- Use of deet based, mosquito repellents and
- Using fans or Air conditioners where possible
Malaria is a preventable, treatable and curable disease and higher-risk groups for malaria include babies, young children, the elderly, and pregnant women. People with compromised immune systems, travellers from non-endemic areas, and migrant workers are more susceptible to catching disease.
Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduce severity and prevent deaths. If malaria is not treated early, it can progress to severe illness and death. If malaria is not treated early, it can progress to severe illness and death.
Government releases guidelines that in case of emergency visit your nearest health facility within 72 hours if you experience any malaria-like symptoms like fever, body pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and headache. Remember to take your treatment properly.
Guidelines share that people should avoid mosquitoes multiplying in a community where possible remove stagnant water avoid illegal dumping.
In South Africa, about 10% of the population is at risk of transmission of malaria this season cases usually start rising in October peaking in January and February and waning towards may.
