The Department of Health has advised all travelers and local populations to remain cautious since the nation is seeing a minor rise in malaria incidents, notably within regions where the illness is widespread such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal.
The department reports that malaria outbreaks have been recorded in multiple neighboring nations within the SADC area, particularly in Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
This situation is said to raise the risk of potential cross-border transmission of this preventable disease, especially as people travel throughout the region for religious and cultural events during the Easter holidays.
“The department will remain on high alert in case of a sudden peak in local malaria transmission, “ the statement read.
The disease is primarily transmitted through a bite from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting.
Citizens travelling to malaria-endemic areas are urged to take the following precautions:
- Take malaria prevention medication (prophylaxis) as advised by a healthcare provider. Doxycycline is available freely in all public health facilities.
- Apply an insect repellent with a minimum of 10% DEET content.
- Use bed nets for sleep, opt for fans or air conditioning.
- Put on clothes with long sleeves, particularly after dark.
- Get prompt medical care if you experience any of these symptoms and be sure to share your recent travel history with the healthcare provider.
In the meantime, the department mentioned that healthcare professionals across both endemic and non-endemic regions have been advised to stay vigilant about potential malaria cases among individuals exhibiting flu-like symptoms. They must promptly report all verified instances to aid in effective monitoring and reaction measures against malaria.
They were additionally advised to consistently ask about travel history, especially from areas with a higher risk of infection, perform immediate malaria testing, and repeat these tests if symptoms continue even after receiving negative results.
“The prompt detection and management of the illness are vital for safeguarding lives and halting additional spread of the infection,” stated the department. SAnews.gov.za