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

Question

I've been told that the risk of catching malaria in South Africa is low but depending on the area you may still need to take malaria tablets..? I am going to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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!

Answer 3

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RE:
Do I need to take malaria tablets if I'm going to South Africa?
I've been told that the risk of catching malaria in South Africa is low but depending on the area you may still need to take malaria tablets..? I am going to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.. Can anyone help?

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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!

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

Do I Need Malaria Tablets

Answer 8

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.

Answer 9

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you should go to a british airways travel centre they will tell you exactly what you need based on what areas you will be visiting, if you don't need to take the malaria tablets (ie you are not entering a malaria area) they will let you know anyways with most those course you need to start taking them a couple days before so you should really go before you get the SA

Answer 10

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.