Beware those mosquitoes these holidays
The holidays have arrived, and many South Africans will be travelling to enjoy a well-deserved break – in the middle of malaria season, which is from September to the end of May.
Goodbye Malaria, an organisation fighting malaria in Southern Africa, consulted with Professor Lucille Blumberg, deputy director at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).
“While the number of malaria cases reported in 2018 to date from South Africa are down compared to 2017, and malaria transmissions remain low in Swaziland, Namibia and Botswana, malaria still remains a yearround risk in countries like Mozambique and their surrounding areas,” said Blumberg.
The NICD has recommended people reduce contact with mosquitoes by limiting outdoor activity after dark, covering up bare skin (not forgetting feet and ankles) and using mosquito repellents and coils, as well as ensuring there are screens on doors, and windows are closed at night
Use bed nets, fans or air-conditioning, if available, and consider antimalarial prophylaxis in higher-risk areas – doxycycline and atovaquone-proguanil are available without prescription from pharmacies, the NICD said.
“Spray your vehicle with mosquito repellent after every stop, as mosquitoes are known for their fondness of hitchhiking.
“When you arrive, ensure every room is sprayed and make sure there is no stagnant water around, as this is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.”
While these precautions will substantially reduce the chance of malaria, the risk is never completely abolished.
“All travellers returning from malaria transmission areas should consult their doctors or clinics about any ‘flu-like’ symptoms, like headache, fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, up to six weeks after first exposure, in case it is malaria,” said Blumberg.
Sherwin Charles, chief executive and co-founder of Goodbye Malaria said: “Through sustained efforts, the malaria map has shrunk from 100 years ago.
“Sadly, 70% of malaria deaths effect little ones under five years and we urge South Africans to be overly cautious, particularly [in] northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.”