| Malaria is a word many people associate with game | | | | for malaria, until the symptoms clear or an alternative |
| parks in Africa. However only two of the South | | | | diagnosis is made. It is important to advise medical |
| African National Parks are in a malaria risk area and | | | | practitioners that you have been in a malaria area to |
| they are the Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe | | | | avoid incorrect diagnosis. |
| National Park, although at both these venues the risk | | | | On the question of prophylactics, no drug is |
| is usually low. Historically there have been incidences | | | | guaranteed 100% effective, but a combination of |
| of malaria in other parks, but then there are recorded | | | | choroquin (taken weekly first one week before) and |
| incidences of malaria from urban Europe and other | | | | paludrin (daily - first 2 days before) appears to be |
| non-risk areas. But to all intents and purposes Kruger | | | | the most recommended prophylactic. Mefloquin is a |
| is the only malaria risk park in the SANParks' set-up. | | | | single alternative. These would be available from |
| Anti-malaria prophylactics are thus recommended for | | | | pharmacies in Johannesburg and en route to the park |
| visitors for Kruger. The highest risk period is between | | | | (and perhaps for sale at some of the larger rest |
| December and April (end of the rainy season). A | | | | camps in the park). However as they should be |
| 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 | | | | taken a week in advance, if one chooses to use |
| 1800 to give detailed explanation on risk and advice | | | | them, buying them in SA would be leaving it late, |
| on precautionary measures. Visitors wishing to take | | | | unless you will be spending time elsewhere in the |
| prophylactics should consult a knowledgeable medical | | | | country (most of which is malaria free). |
| practitioner or recognized travel clinic about | | | | The threat of malaria should not affect your decision |
| recommended medication, as certain products cause | | | | to enjoy and experience the Kruger Park, but is just |
| nausea, hallucinations or other negative side effects | | | | something one should be aware of and take |
| with certain people. | | | | precautions to be exposed to. |
| Very often (particularly after periods of low rainfall) | | | | NB Most types of mosquito do not carry the malaria |
| the malaria risk in Kruger is very low. Many people | | | | plasmodium and if one is bitten it does not mean one |
| decide not to take prophylactics and rather try to | | | | will contract malaria. Only mosquitoes of the |
| avoid getting bitten. The most vulnerable times are | | | | anopheles genus carry the plasmodium, and then only |
| between dusk and dawn. People are advised to stay | | | | if they have previously fed on an infected host. As |
| indoors during these periods, or cover exposed skin | | | | the presence of people with the plasmodium in their |
| with light clothing or insect repellants. The ankles are | | | | bloodstream in the park is greatly reduced compared |
| the most critical area. Burning anti-mosquito coils and | | | | to past times, risk is once more reduced. One reason |
| ensuring netted screens are kept closed are other | | | | for these reductions is that the accommodation units |
| preventative measures. | | | | in the parks are sprayed periodically throughout the |
| While malaria prophylactics are recommended, no | | | | year. Now that international campaigns see treatment |
| prophylactic is foolproof and any person developing | | | | taking place in adjacent countries such as |
| flu-like symptoms 7 to 20 days (or even longer) after | | | | Mozambique and Swaziland, malaria occurrence has |
| being in malaria areas should be tested immediately | | | | been further reduced. |