The intensity of malaria transmission varies within countries in Southern Africa. In Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe malaria transmission does not occur in all districts. It is predominantly found in some rural areas and also some tourist areas such as the Zambezi valley, the Okavango delta, and Kruger National Park. This year flooding and heavy rainfall in Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe have increased the risk of malaria.
	During the Easter holidays in April there is a large amount of internal travel and tourism within southern Africa. Many travellers from malaria-free areas, particularly large cities, will be visiting areas where malaria is a problem.
	April is also a period of high malaria transmission and there is a high potential for malaria epidemics, particularly this year due to flooding and heavy rain. Travellers and tourists should protect themselves against malaria during this time.

How travellers can protect themselves against malaria

Travellers and tourists should ask their health worker whether malaria transmission occurs in the place they are visiting. If it does they should:

	Take an impregnated bed net and also extras for relatives and friends in the rural areas.
	Take skin repellents to prevent mosquito bites and use them twice in the evening before dark and before they go to bed.
	Take malaria prophylaxis to prevent malaria - travellers should ask their health worker or pharmacist about the best drugs to take based on the national malaria drug policy. The drugs should be taken for two weeks before travelling, during travel and four weeks after returning home.
	If the traveller suffers symptoms and signs of malaria such as fever, headache and malaise during travel or up to two weeks after returning home, they should see their health worker immediately and ensure to tell them about their travel to a malarious area.

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