Disease borders difficult to determine

Nelie Erasmus

Louis Trichardt, previously excluded, now falls under the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)’s low-risk area for contracting malaria, reports Polokwane Review.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases made some changes to the areas for contracting malaria on its risk areas map published in December. The areas have changed since the last map was released in 2013.

The entire malaria risk area has spread further towards the centre of Limpopo, and large areas previously deemed no risk areas are now at low risk. Some previously low-risk areas are now at moderate risk.

The NICD recommends using nondrug measures in lowrisk areas, such as mosquito nets and repellents.

If people are travelling through moderate risk areas, they recommend the use of prophylactic medication. This must only be done on the advice of a medical practitioner.

The entire Vhembe district falls in a risk area.

The NICD states that the borders of risk areas should be regarded as approximate and that sporadic transmission may occur outside designated areas.

Many people have recently returned from holidays in high-risk areas and people are urged to be aware for four to six weeks after returning home for possible exposure.

They should look out for the onset of flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, or aches in muscles and the body. Should these or similar symptoms arise, they are urged to immediately see a medical practitioner to be tested for malaria.

Up to the end of October 2018, more than 16 000 cases of malaria were reported across South Africa, with 110 deaths.

There was an increase in malaria cases in 2017 after an annual average of 7 600 reported cases for the decade preceding.

Most people presenting with malaria either acquire the infection in malaria risk areas within the country, or have a history of travel to neighbouring countries. – Caxton News Service