LIMPOPO – Visitors to the Kruger National Park have been warned to take precautionary measures against malaria before visiting the park.
“Although the park is classified as a low risk area it is however situated in a malaria area and due to heavy rain received this year, there are pools of water in abundance everywhere. The park is experiencing malaria cases especially in the northern part of the park,” according to a statement issued by the Kruger National Park (KNP) Management.
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“Malaria seems to be on the brink of an outbreak lately despite the fact that we almost in winter now with some of the country’s provinces reporting hundreds of people who have been admitted and tested positive for the disease in hospitals. We therefore would like to advise visitors to take the necessary precautions which include the use of prophylaxes and vaccinations in consultation with their doctors to prevent the possibility of contracting malaria as Kruger National Park is known to be one of the Malaria endemic areas in this country,” said the SANParks Acting Head of Communications, William Mabasa.
Visitors are urged to use repellents on the skin, keep the gauze door and windows closed as well as to spray the inside of the hut/bungalow with insecticide to reduce the risk of malaria in the park.
Medical doctors are permanently based in Skukuza, Kruger National Park’s main camp and the public are urged to consult with them for information and advice prior to their visit to the park on telephone number +27 13 735 5638.
TAKE NOTE!!
[INFOGRAPHIC] Signs & Symptoms of Malaria