According to experts, we can expect a surge of malaria cases in the next month or so. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
The Malaria Institute in Tzaneen predict that cases will pick up during the third week of February, due to the pattern of rain we are receiving.
Other predictions are suggesting cases will surge this month.
Read: The truth behind malaria in Pretoria
The Malaria Institute advise that cases are currently low compared to this time in previous years and even compared to November and December of last year.
It is said that more than 100 people in Limpopo and Mpumalanga died of malaria, a deadly but preventable disease, in 2017.
There were more than 12 000 cases reported in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces last year too.
So with a predicted surge in cases about to hit, make sure you are aware of the facts and be informed in order to try and keep yourself and your family safe:
What is malaria and how is it contracted?
Malaria is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.
Once the parasites are inside your body, they travel to the liver, where they mature.
After several days, the mature parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood cells.
The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three days at a time.
Early detection is key:
The first symptoms usually appear between 7 and 10 days after the patient was bitten and are very similar to that of the flu.
The Malaria Institute advise those who have been to malaria areas, such as Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to get themselves tested at their nearest health facility after returning.
Testing and treatment of malaria is free in all Government health facilities.
Philip Kruger from the Limpopo Department of Health, advises to be overprotective when it comes to babies and small children especially. If you or family members are experiencing any of the symptoms of malaria, rather get yourself tested.
Common symptoms may include (but are not limited to):
– shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe
– high fever
– profuse sweating
– headache
– nausea
– vomiting
– abdominal pain
– diarrhoea
– anaemia
– muscle pain
– convulsions
Read: [INFOGRAPHIC] Signs & Symptoms of Malaria
Rapid home detection tests are available at local pharmacies and cost as little as R60.00 each.
What steps can you take to try and prevent being bitten?
Kruger suggests the following: when outdoors at night or in areas not screened from mosquitoes, apply mosquito repellents to all exposed skin, using products like Peaceful Sleep or Tabbard. Citronella based repellents are not as effective, according to Kruger.
Moreover, Kruger also advises the following precautions:
Houses in risk areas need to be sprayed on the inside with chemicals with a residual efficacy as part of a coordinated indoor residual spraying campaign.
Breeding places of mosquitoes need to be eliminated.
The suspected carriers of malaria should be traced and treated. According to Kruger, through many years of intense malaria control, the disease is not prevalent in local communities in South Africa. It is suggested that the malaria parasites are brought into our communities through migrants from countries with little or no malaria control. Industries or companies that employ (casual) labour from malaria endemic countries can make a huge difference by having these workers screened and when found positive – treated.
Read: Visiting the KNP? Be malaria wise
Employers should help educate and protect their employees by sharing information on how to prevent malaria and seek treatment at the first sign of the disease.
Take precautions. Install gauze in front of open windows and doors and make sure the house is closed from sunset to sunrise. The malaria mosquitoes don’t fly or feed during day time. Have your house’s interior walls treated (sprayed), use mosquito mats and insecticide treated mosquito nets. Strict precautions can reduce your risk to “almost zero percent,” says Kruger.
South Africa, along with Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland are working towards becoming ‘malaria free’ by 2020. By knowing the signs, acting preventatively and staying informed, we can all help to achieve that goal.
Stay informed:
The following website has been set up to provide Hoedspruit (and surrounding) residents with the latest malaria information in the area: www.hoedspruitmalaria.info
