Malaria

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Malaria

Malaria is a potentially fatal illness of tropical and

subtropical regions. The disease is caused by a parasite which

is transmitted to human beings bitten by infected mosquitoes.

The disease is widespread in Africa, and over one million

people die of malaria every year on the continent.

WHICH AREAS HARBOUR MALARIA?

Within South Africa's borders the disease is encountered mainly

in northern and eastern Mpumalanga, northern Kwa-Zulu Natal,

and the border areas of the Northern and North West provinces.

Considering South Africa's neighbours, malaria is also

considered to be a threat to travellers visiting the lower

lying areas of Swaziland, while it is encountered throughout

Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and much of Botswana. Northern Namibia

is also a malarious area. Within South Africa's borders,

malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter

months of November through to April. From May through to October the

risks of acquiring malaria are reduced. For a full size map and a list

of game parks follow this link.(368K)

HOW TO AVOID MALARIA

Prevention of malaria relies upon adopting personal protection

measures designed to reduce the chances of attracting a

mosquito bite, and the use of appropriate anti-malarial

medication. Both personal protection methods and anti-malarial

medication are important, and neither should be neglected at

the expense of the other.

PERSONAL PROTECTION MEASURES

Personal protection measures against mosquito bites include the

use of an appropriate insect repellent containing di-ethyl

toluamide (also known as DEET), the wearing clothing to conceal

as much of the body as practical, sleeping under mosquito nets,

and the spraying of sleeping quarters at night with a suitable

pyrethroid containing insecticide, or the burning of an

insecticide laden coil. If at all possible avoid being outdoors

at night, when malaria carrying mosquitoes are more likely to

bite.

ANTI-MALARIA TABLETS (PROPHYLAXIS)

There are a number of different types of anti-malaria tablets

available. The exact choice of which to use depends both upon

the particular area being visited, and the traveller's own

medical history. Within South Africa's borders either a

combination of chloroquine with proguanil, or Mefloquine

(Mefliam) alone are the commonly used anti-malaria tablets.

Chloroquine and proguanil are available without a doctor's

prescription. Mefloquine (Mefliam) can only be obtained with a

doctor's prescription. Because of the emergence of chloroquine

resistant strains of malaria in South Africa, chloroquine should not be

taken alone but should always be combined with proguanil. The adult

dosage is two chloroquine tablets per week, starting one week before

entering the malarious area. Proguanil may be started twenty-four

hours before entering the malarious area, and two tablets must be taken

every day. Both chloroquine and proguanil should be taken for four

weeks after departing the malarious area, and both are best taken at

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