Do I need to take malaria tablets if I'm going to South Africa?

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celianne

No you do not have to take malaria tablets visiting those areas. The chance of catching it there is nil. However, if you visit the Kruger National Park, or anywhere near there, you will have to take malaria tablets.

Vango

When travelling to the far northern Limpopo province, Mpumalanga lowveld and northern Kwazulu-Natal during October to April you need to take malaria prophylactics.
When using malaria prophylactics for shorter than 3 months at a time (like most tourists do), it won't cause any damage to your liver and eyes.
Better to be safe. I was an adventure travel guide in Africa and had malaria in 2003. It is certainly not an experience I wish upon my worst enemy. (I couldn't take the prophylactics coz I worked in malaria zones semi-permanently).
Best malaria prophylactics available in the big cities in SA. Lariam is a trusted name. Ask the pharmacist (in SA) for advice, since malaria strains in different parts build up resistance to different prophylactics.
Hope this helps.

DolphinLami

Check the map or atlas. The areas you are visiting do not have a malaria problem. If you catch it, you will be on the breaking news as it does not happen. South Africa is not the same as Mozambique.
If you are going now, get yourself a good sun screen, we have a heat wave.
Enjoy SA!!

Stef Elke

Depends where in South-Africa you going....

Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban that I know of doesn't have Malaria, but Sabie, Nelspruit, Kruger Part I think does have.

Ask your doctor.

Verena

I am a German form Hamburg living here in Joburg for 5 years. Travelling between CT, Durban and Joburg all the time. NO, you do not need Malaria Prophylaxis in all 3 of these cities. Durban can be very humid and hot and there can be mosquitoes the size of horses but they normally do not carry Malaria. I suggest, take some goo repellent (tan looks nicer without any bumps anyway:-)) cover legs and arms at night when sitting outside and hey, most important- ENJOY! this beautiful country. If you go further up the coast or inland (Wetlands, Kruger National - Lower Sabie etc) I suggest, especially now in Autumn, take some - I have used a product (cant remember the name- check with your Travel doc) that you only take 24hrs before you enter the area and then 5 days after you have left. Worked well and does not ruin the entire trip. Things you should take care of is a good suntan lotion (sun is bloody harsh here!), buy proper food (not at the side of the road, and watch your bags and car:-) I hope you have a fabulous trip, some great sundowners and that you meet plenty great people! enjoY!

Reb Da Rebel

Johannesburg?
i dont think so, i've never heard of any reports on that...trust me, we are free of that.

Anro

You will not contract malaria in any of the areas mentioned, as only certain of the hot and humid areas are suitable for the breeding of the malaria mosquito. Refer to the link hereunder for more info.

You can buy malaria capsules at any pharmacy in South Africa and you only have to start treatment 24 hrs before entering a malaria area. You will have to keep on with the treatment for at least 4 weeks after leaving the area. There are also other treatments, like a mosquito repellent patch, spray repellants, etc.

My advice would be to consult a pharmacist when you intend to enter a malaria area.

Charlene

I am from there and anything that bites will bite me. Lived 10 years in CT and 10 years in JHB and as long as you are in town you will be fine. If you go out of town i.e game drives then you should take some as a precaution. Enjoy the trip - its a fab country.

Kuschke

Whoever told you it is "low" doe snot know SA. I stay in SA and I stay in an endemic area as far as malaria is ocncerned, the Limpopo Province ( the old Northern Province). We have an average of 100 people die in a season year after year. It is a well know scientific fact that of all "killer" illnesses in the world, Malaria kills more people annually than what the total was of people who died in World War II. If you go to JHB and stay in the Gauteng Area, Jhb, Pretoria etc your chances are low - that is do NOT move NORTH. Should you move to Durban, I would recommend you drink the pills. Cape Town -as long as you stay in Cape Town - low risk.

dWali

All malaria tablets have side effects, and you will not really need them in the cities that you want to visit.

Do not take them, or if you do consult with your doctor on the side vefefcts first.

Ã‚Â§Ã‚Â§ AndrÃƒÂ© Ã‚Â§Ã‚Â§

Naww lay off the Tabs....if you attrack Malaria in any of the places you mention....then you would be the first in 100 yrs

nella

i live in jhb and i have been biten by so many mozi's, so nope u dnt need for any of the places u going.

and dnt listen to alf. i bet he doenst even live here. the private hospitals are the best there is nothing wrong with them

alf i suggest u keep ur mouth shut. u make it sound like sa is some dirty country and we are all uncivilzed. dnt answer q's u have no idea about. so just shut up

First of all: there is no vaccine against Malaria. The only thing you can do to try to prevent malaria is taking precautions and tablets. But even the most careful traveler might end up getting sick.
There is no malaria in Cape Town, nor in Durbanm and Johannesburg. The Kruger National Park is a high risk area, so beware.

Maybe surf to this website for a risk map anbd more info about malaria in SA.
http://www.malaria.org.za/Malaria_Risk/Risk_Maps/risk_maps.htm

Tablets, I suggest using malarone instead of Lariam. Malarone is relatively new, more xpensive but without the side effects Lariam is famous for.

onukpa

there are no anti malarial vaccines so better take those anti-malarial shots or tablets. and even though the risk may be low take it as a prophylactic. Better safe than sorry, i say!

CAROLE S

If you travel to the northern regions; Kruger,etc...yes.
Advise that you buy the tablets from a pharmacy in South Africa - MUCH cheaper than in UK.

candycane

well you will be fine in joburg and cape town but it depends on were in durban you are going. i have never taken any and i am fine so i wouldnt bother with it if i was you but thats me

SAgirl

The areas where you are going is not know to be malaria areas

And i would advice you to take the malaria tablets it makes you very sick and if you get malaria the doctors can not pick it up immediately

livinia

no, not if u r going to these parts, i expect u will be in a civilized area?
if u go to say lesotho, botswana then yes, u know if u r going to stay in the wild or if u go visit the krueger park
hope u enjoy it! weather is lovely out there!

MoonliteSA

I'm a South African, lived there all my life and have been all over on holiday.

The only place you would need to take malaria tablets for is Mpumalanga (formerly the Eastern Transvaal). Otherwise the incorrect instruction of taking malaria tablets can cause serious health problems, as my mother has experienced it first hand.

Otherwise the only things you need to look out for in Durban is the high humidity which can make your trip quite uncomfortable and also affect your blood pressure. In Johannesburg... well without a doubt the crime! Be ever alert in Johannesburg because there is no doubt a hi-jacker just round the corner.

Hope this helps!

Bossie

No worries! SA is not like the rest of Africa, we are pretty much in control down here. Careful, these anti malaria tricks can cause liver damage which can't be cured. Malaria can (over a couple of years)

mike

yes and also take mosquito nets you will need Them if u cant get them in th UK or whatever your country is you can usually buy them a the little shops everywhere

Alyosha

Only in Kruger National Park. I went from Madagascar to SA and it was a relief to stop having to take the tablets...

Norman D

Malaria is only found in low-lying Northern areas of SA. Johannesburg and Cape Town are not in the range and Durban is safe but further north from Durban bordering on Mozambique there could be contact as in Kruger Park which borders on Moz.
Quick Answer--you will not need to take medication unless you are going to North-Eastern low lying areas.
I am a tour guide and never bother but wear insect repellants and long sleeves and trousers after dark in Kruger Park.

Roger J

No - you will not have to take Malaria tablets for the areas you are visiting. Relax and enjoy your holiday with one less thing to worry about!

tsoko_nut

Tablets wont help. Immunization/Vaccine shots are more effective.

flybright

For the areas you have mentioned, malaria is not a problem, however if you intend going to any of the "lowveldt" areas ie Game reserves such as the Kruger Park etc. then precautionary measures are advised. However different strains of the disease are prevalent in different areas so a detailed itinery would be required to advise on the best tablet or tablets to take.
Most people do not suffer any side effects so precaution is better than suffering.
British Airways do provide an advisory department although probably the best advice would be from a local clinic when you arrive ther but the tablets do have to be taken in advance to be effective.

Barbados Chick

I firmly believe in being totally prepared for everything. We had a malaria alert in the Caribbean this past winter especially for travellers to Jamaica. Best to get all your shots / pills the you are ready for what ever hits you. You just never know. Everything is only a plane ride away these days.

Malan

No, I don't think you'll need any malaria tablets. Definitely not in Joburg or Cape Town. (Maybe Durban, but I doubt it) I live in Cape Town... don't know how this tablets even look like lol. SA is by far the safest country to visit in Africa as far as health is concerned. SA also has first world private health sector if you encounter any probs :)

â™¥haggisbasherâ™¥

It's always better to be safe, contact your doctors surgery they will advise you.

Emmarose

If mosquitos are attracted to you, I would say yes.

Alf Garnett 1V

No but you will need body armour and an automatic rifle.Also get a good Health Policy so that you can be flown out of the Country for treatment if you need it. Their Hospitals are filthy and at best you may get a mattress on the floor if you are admitted. The Newly Deluded i.e. Carl sorry Malan have already filed their one eyed perspective.

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