Find out more about Malaria

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Malaria

Malaria is a disease transmitted to human beings by the bite of an infected female mosquito of the Anopheles species. It occurs in limited endemic malaria areas of Southern Africa and infections are very seldom contracted outside these regions.

Symptoms

Any person resident in, or returning from a malaria risk area who develops fever and flu-like symptoms should immediately consult a medical practitioner and mention that they've been in a malaria area.

Symptoms can occur up to 6 months after leaving a malaria area. Some of the following usually occur:

Fever

Sweating

Abdominal pains

Loss of appetite

Nausea

Cough

Orthostatic hypotension

In the majority of cases, the examination of blood smears will reveal malaria parasites. If not found initially, further specimens should be examined by an experienced laboratory before infection is excluded, as false negatives may be found.

Don't take chances --malaria can kill and is one of the most serious tropical diseases still on the increase in Africa.

Precautionary measures

Visitors to Africa can reduce the risk of contracting malaria by avoiding high-risk areas or by visiting endemic malaria areas during the dry season when rainfall is very low. Prophylaxis against malaria may be divided into 2 categories: precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites (personal protection) and the taking of anti-malarial drugs.

Preventing mosquito bites is the most important and effective way to prevent malaria, since the anti-malarial drugs are not 100 per cent effective. Malaria vector mosquitoes feed between dusk and dawn -- both indoors and outdoors. Contact with them may be minimised by the following measures.

If possible, remain indoors between dusk and dawn.

When going out at night (for instance on a night-drive), wear long sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks.

Apply an insect repellent to exposed skin. Repeat regularly but do not exceed the recommendations given on the label of the container.

Stay in well-constructed and maintained buildings.

Seal doors and windows with mosquito screens.

Use a mosquito-proof net over the bed with edges tucked in under the mattress. Ensure that the net is not torn and there are no mosquitoes inside.

Spray the building inside with an aerosol insectide for flying insects at dusk, especially the bedrooms after closing the windows.

Use mosquito mats impregnated with an insectide or burn mosquito coils during the night.

Treat clothes with an insectide registered for this purpose.

Preventative Drugs

In certain areas mosquitoes are chloroquine-resistant, therefore proguanil and mefloquine are recommended. Doxycycline is prescribed for people with specific medical conditions.

Chloroquine should be taken once every seven days starting one day before entering the malaria risk area and for 4 weeks after leaving the area. It is well-tolerated, relatively inexpensive and is available without a prescription.

Proguanil should always be taken in combination with chloroquine. It is also available without a prescription, because it is classified as a Schedule 1 drug.

Mefloquine may only be prescribed by a medical practitioner. It is a highly effective weekly regime, but expensive.

Doxycycline requires a written prescription. It is a highly effective drug and resistance is rare. Of major importance is finishing the course and complying with instructions.