Issued by: Department of Health
It is believed that the malaria epidemic in the country has reached its peak and will now start to decline. The number of cases notified for 1996 is already over 16 000 and at least 108 deaths have been reported. The distribution of malaria in South Africa has not changed. The higher incidence of malaria is being reported from the high risk malaria area in the low altitude areas of Northern Province, Mpumalanga and north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.
Since the risk of contracting malaria in South Africa is not over, visitors should still protect themselves in malaria risk areas throughout the year by taking measures against mosquito bites. In the high risk areas antimalarial drugs should also be taken until the end of May.
Visitors returning home are warned to continue taking their antimalarial drugs for at least four weeks after they have left the malaria area.
Since no prophylactic drug is 100% effective, people may still contract malaria, although antimalarial drugs have been taken.
The period from exposure to disease is usually about 2 to 3 weeks, but can be between 7 days and 3 months or longer, especially if drugs to prevent malaria have been taken. People with any flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, coughing, sweating, tiredness, etc.) should think of malaria and seek medical attention immediately. They should inform their doctors of their movements during the past months and request tests for malaria.
ENQUIRIES: LULU SEBAKE TELEPHONE: (012) 312-0175