According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the number of malaria cases is expected to rise as a result of people travelling during the Easter holidays, and the recent rainfall across Southern Africa.
Mozambique is known to have the highest malaria transmission in the region. Areas of high transmission risk in the country include the lowveld of Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park and the northern KwaZulu-Natal Province-Mozambique border.
Travellers are advised to take precautions by consulting their doctors, clinics or pharmacists for anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis.
When Mpumalanga News contacted a travel agencies we were informed that it is the responsibility of the traveller to get anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis. “Before travelling we ask travellers to submit medical certificate to prove that they went to the clinic although if they do not submit, we still travel with them. It is their own risk to travel without getting anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis,” one said.
According to Mr Mandla Zwane from the department of health, the type anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis that you get depends on your age, if you are pregnant and the countries you are visiting.
“When you visit the doctor, he will advise on the best treatment to take. In Mbombela you can visit Rob Ferreira Hospital, pharmacies, private facilities and clinics. Even if the medications are very good at preventing malaria, one still needs to follow the precautions,” said Zwane.
Personal protection methods when visiting malaria endemic areas:
• Wearing clothing with long sleeve and cover your ankles especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
• Avoid wearing dark colours because they attract mosquitoes
• Use screens over doors and windows
• Apply insect repellents to exposed skin
• Use anti-mosquito sprays or insecticide dispensers or burn mosquito coils at night
• Close all windows before sunset
• Avoid unnecessary walking during the night: try and spend evenings indoors rather than outdoors as you are much less likely to get bitten by mosquitoes
• Avoid to store water in open containers for long time and remove stagnant water in the household
Sources: National Institute Communicable diseases (https://www.nicd.ac.za), Mpumalanga Department of Health
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