Malaria and Travel During Easter and Other Public Holidays

The heavy rains and flooding that occurred from January – March, 2003 have increased the risk of malaria transmission in many parts of Southern Africa. The intensity of malaria transmission varies between and within SADC countries. During the Easter Holidays in April, there is a large amount of international and local travel and tourism within SADC countries. April is a period of high malaria transmission and there is high potential for malaria epidemics. Many travellers from malaria free areas visit areas where malaria is a problem. Travellers and tourists should take malaria protective measures when visiting malaria risk areas during the month of April.

Malaria is a major Public Health Problem and second leading cause of illness and death in SADC. It kills 200 000 people every year in the region. In Southern Africa, the floods that occurred have a potential of increasing malaria transmission. 

Information to travelers and tourists during the Easter and other Public Holidays.

	If one is traveling from non-malaria areas to a malaria risk area, one is advised to take antimalarial drugs starting two weeks before entering the malaria risk area, and to continue while in the area and for four weeks after leaving the area. Travellers should ask their nearest health worker/nurse/doctor or national control programme about where to get the right type of antimalarial drugs.
	Take a treated mosquito net for you and some extras for your friends and relatives.
	Apply insecticide skin repellents to exposed skin to prevent mosquito bites and use them twice every evening, before dark and before you go to bed.
	If any flue-like signs and symptoms namely, fever, headache, muscular and joint pains, sweating, shivering attacks, diarrhoea and fatigue occur after a visit to a malaria risk area, a medical; practitioner should be consulted immediately.
	Remember malaria is preventable and curable. Do not let malaria ruin your holiday.
	Protect yourself, and your family from malaria by: Getting reliable pre-travel advice about malaria and follow the advice carefully; Use a combination of preventive measures; Use personal protection to avoid mosquito bites; Seek malaria treatment early;

The World Health Organisation – Southern Africa Malaria Control wishes you a malaria-free Easter Holiday.

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