Malaria makes a comeback in SA
Vincent warned that malaria infection can result in serious complications, particularly if it is not identified and treated at an early stage.
Visitors to areas where malaria is endemic are warned to pay the necessary attention to protecting themselves from the dangerous mosquito-borne illness.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the last of malaria in South Africa, which by all indications is making something of a comeback. Over the last year there have been a number of cases reported from areas where it was previously thought to have been eliminated,” said Dr Peter Vincent from Netcare.
“The rainy summer season in the northern parts of South Africa is associated with an increase in the numbers of malaria-carrying anopheles mosquito and a considerably enhanced risk of contracting the illness within the endemic areas of southern Africa. The risk is highest between September through to the following May, which is considered to be malaria season in South Africa.”
“Make sure you know where these areas are and understand what kinds of precautions may be necessary ahead of your trip. Malaria poses a risk in the northern parts of Limpopo province, eastern Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal as well as in parts of neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Vincent warned that there is an increased risk of acquiring malaria in endemic areas both inside and beyond the borders of the country. In addition, based on its infection data, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has now proposed a change in its Malaria Risk Map for South Africa for the first time since 2013.
The NICD recommends visitors to low-risk areas take precautions against being bitten by mosquitos, but advises additional measures, including the use of appropriate prophylaxis medications, when visiting medium- or high-risk areas in southern Africa.
“Should any traveller to a malaria area develop flu-like symptoms for up to six months following their trip, they should have an urgent blood test for malaria. This is extremely important, as malaria is commonly misdiagnosed as flu and this can have serious, sometimes even fatal, consequences for the individual involved,” warned Vincent.
Vincent advised those who are visiting an area where there may be a risk of contracting malaria, to use insect repellents containing DEET on all areas of the skin that are exposed, and to sleep under DEET-impregnated mosquito nets at all times of the year.
The malaria-carrying mosquito is usually a dusk to dawn feeder and people are advised to change into long-sleeved shirts and blouses, long trousers and socks as evening approaches.
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