Malaria During The Festive Season

The heavy rains and flooding that occurred from mid January to date have a possibility of increasing the risk of malaria transmission in many parts of Southern Africa. The intensity varies from country to country. During December, 2005 there are large numbers of international, local travellers and tourists within the SADC region. Travellers and tourists coming from malaria free areas to areas where there is malaria are urged to take preventive and protective measures against malaria.

Most of the countries in Southern Africa are receiving a lot of rain during this current rainy season. The highest risk of malaria is in countries where all year round malaria transmission occurs and the countries include Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Madagascar. People travelling to countries like Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland where seasonal malaria occurs are again encouraged to take extra precaution and use protective measures against malaria, particularly when travelling to high risk malaria areas.

Malaria is a major public health problem and second leading cause of illness and deaths in the SADC and kills over 250 000 people every year in the region. In Southern Africa, malaria ranges from the situation of full endemicity with stable transmission throughout the year to areas with season malaria.

Information to travellers and tourists during the festive and malaria season

	If one is travelling from non-malaria areas to a malaria risk area, one is advised to take anti malarial drugs as advised and to continue while in the area 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 early.
	Take an insecticide-treated mosquito net with you and some extras for your friends and relatives.
	Apply insect repellents before dark to exposed skin to prevent mosquito bites and repeat regularly as advised.
	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 your 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 advice;
	Getting reliable pre-advice about malaria and follow medical advice carefully.
	Using personal protection like mosquito nets, repellent creams and other insecticides to avoid mosquito bites.
	Seeking malaria treatment early and completing your tablets as advised by your health worker or doctor.

Protect your self and your family from malaria – Your Health is your responsibility

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