The number of malaria cases reported in Johannesburg has increased over the past few weeks and recent holiday travels may be the cause.
“The likely reason for the increase is related to people travelling over the Easter holiday to malaria risk areas both within South Africa and in neighbouring countries,” said deputy director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Head of the public health surveillance and response division at NICD, Prof. Lucille Blumberg said, ” In particular, there has been some increase in the number of reported cases from the northern parts of the Kruger National Park and northern parts of Limpopo, including the Mopani district.”
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Mosquito breeding thrives with the rise in ambient temperatures, high rainfall and humidity which was experienced during the 2016/2017 season and led to an increase in malaria cases. However, the risk is expected to decrease as the weather becomes cooler.
Noting that the usual incubation period for malaria is 10 to 14 days, travellers from both low and high malaria-risk areas who develop fever and flu-like symptoms should visit a healthcare facility or see their doctor for a malaria test.
A negative malaria test does not always rule out malaria and the test should be repeated if symptoms persist.
Travellers to malaria transmission areas are advised to consult their doctors for a risk assessment and to get advice on the necessary precautions and appropriate chemoprophylaxis. All travellers, whether traveling to low or high risk areas, are advised to be aware of the typical malaria symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, headaches, nausea and vomiting, body aches, general malaise and yellow discoloration of eyes and skin and to report to their nearest health facility or doctor if they suspect that they may have contracted malaria.
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