Holiday makers are warned to take precautionary measures if they are travelling to areas with a high risk malaria infection this long Weekend. This follows an increase of malaria cases reflected in initial data from the National Department of Health in the last three weeks.
As the world observed 25 April as World Malaria Day, motorists travelling to destinations such as north eastern Limpopo, eastern Mpumalanga, Mozambique and northern KwaZulu-Natal are advised to use anti-mosquito measures such as nets, repellents and prophylactic medicines.
The National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) also cautions travellers to guard against mosquitoes hitchhiking in vehicles returning from malaria areas and transmitting the infection to non-travellers.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of five malaria parasite species which are the Plasmodium falciparum, ovale, vivax, malariae and knowlesi. Symptoms include 'flu-like' symptoms such as mild fever and sweating, headache, muscle aches and chills. Travellers are urged to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms.
According to the World Health Organisation, the disease is a serious challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa which is home to 90% of all malaria cases and 92% of all malaria deaths. Globally malaria infects over 200 million each year.
