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The Park: Malaria 2/2 Advisory | Exploration | Map | Restcamps | Sections | Statistics | The Park In this section advise is offered on malaria as it is present in the Kruger National Park.
Malaria Situation in Kruger National Park The recent floods experienced widely over the sub- continent have greatly contributed to increased breeding opportunities for malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, and predictions are that malaria transmission is likely to increase considerably in weeks to come. The Kruger National Park has for many decades maintained a malaria-control programme aimed at reducing the risk of this disease to visitors and staff. All residential units (huts and houses) are sprayed with a long-lasting, environmentally-safe insecticide, to control adult mosquitoes, larval breeding sites are treated, mosquito gauze is installed covering windows of residential units, mosquito repellent formulations are made available to visitors in all shops, and information brochures on malaria are made available periodically. The effect of this programme has been that malaria incidence within the Kruger National Park is much lower than in virtually all neighbouring areas, and very few visitors to the Kruger National Park get the disease. Annual incidence of malaria within the Kruger National Park averages between 200 and 700, the vast majority of cases being amongst staff - many of whom contract the disease whilst visiting their family in areas adjoining the Kruger National Park. Close on one million visitors annually enters the Kruger National Park, and few of these persons contract malaria. Peak transmission of malaria in the malaria areas of South Africa is between October and May, with the period of highest risk being February to early-May. While all persons entering malaria areas are at risk, you can reduce your risk of contracting the disease to almost negligible levels by taking anti-malaria medication (either weekly Lariam or the combination of daily Paludrine and weekly Chloroquine, the latter being sold as a variety of brand names), together with other measures such as applying mosquito repellent, especially to ankles and feet, using vaporising insecticide coils or mats, and wearing socks and shoes when outdoors in the evening. The malaria-transmitting mosquitoes bite at night, only under very exceptional circumstances during the day. People who should be especially careful to avoid infection are pregnant women, small children, transplant patients and others with reduced immune response (AIDS patients), and elderly people. Malaria is relatively easy to treat if diagnosis is done early and current treatment initiated. If you develop any flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle pain, immediately consult your doctor and specifically request that malaria be tested for. Complications are fatalities are usually associated with late diagnosis and delayed treatment. Despite the bleak picture painted above, the message should be seen more as an attempt to create an awareness of the malaria situation generally, rather than as a warning of a dire situation. People can still enjoy a wonderful and carefree holiday in the Kruger National Park, even in this period of exceptional rain, provided they take basic precautions to safeguard them from infection.
For more information call the SANP's Malaria hotline Previous page < 1 | 2
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