Malaria And Travel During Easter and Other Public Holidays, April 2004

The heavy rains and flooding that occurred from mid-January to April 2004 have a possibility of increasing the risk of malaria transmission in many parts of Southern Africa.  The intensity varies from country to country.  In April, during the Easter holiday, there are large numbers of international, local travellers and tourists within the SADC countries.  Travelers and tourists may be coming from malaria free areas where thee is malaria and are urged to take malaria and are urged to take malaria protective measures when visiting areas with malaria.

No malaria epidemics have so far been reported in the SADC countries since the onset of the 2003/2004 wet season. However, there are possibilities of malaria outbreaks later on as the dry spells set in that may encourage mosquito breeding.  Madagascar declared an emergency due to cyclone Gafilo where 800 000 people were affected and displaced.  Most of the countries in Southern Africa received a lot of rains during current rainy season.  In Angola heavy rains were reported in Huambo, and in the Eastern and Nothern provinces of the country.  In Mozambique thousands of families were left stranded in the central Mozambique and Sofala Province.

The highest risk of malaria is in countries where all year round malaria transmission occurs.  These countries include Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Madagascar.  People travelling to countries like Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe where seasonal malaria occurs are again encouraged to take extra precaution and use protective measures against malaria particularly when travelling to malaria areas in those countries.

Malaria is a major public health problem and second leading cause of illness and death in SADC.  Malaria kills over 250 000 people every year in the region.  Information to travelers and tourists during the Easter and Public Holidays:

	If one is traveling from non-malaria areas to a malaria risk area, one is advised to take anti-malarial drugs as directed before entering the malaria risk area and to continue while in the area and for four weeks after leaving the area.
	If any flu like signs and symptoms like fever, headache, muscular and joint pains, sweating, shivering, diarrhea and fatigue occur after a visit to a malaria area, seek medical treatment and advice immediately
	Take an insecticide-treated mosquito net with you and some extras for your friends and relatives
	Apply insect repellants before dark to exposed skin to prevent mosquito bites and repeat regularly but do not exceed the recommendations for use on the label of the container, particularly for small children
	Pregnant women should take anti-malarial tablets as advised by their health worker
	Preventive treatment must continue for a month after returning from a malaria endemic area.

Remember Malaria is Preventable and Curable - Do not let malaria ruin our holiday - Protect yourself, family and friends against malaria by:

	Being well informed about the risk of malaria infection in the areas of destination and where to get malaria information about malaria and where to seek medical service;
	Getting reliable pre-advice about malaria and follow medical advice carefully
	Use personal protection like mosquito nets, repellant creams and other insecticides to avoid mosquito bites
	If you suspect malaria, seek treatment early and complete your tablets as advised by your health worker or doctor.

The World Health Organisation wishes you a malaria free Easter and Public Holiday

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