SANParks.org Forums

Hi there

As far as I know all Malaria Tablets are only available with Prescription.

When Daramal and Paludrine was still used as malaria prevention medication, it was possible to buy them over the counter in South Africa. However, since chloroquine resistance has risen to unacceptable levels in this part of the world, it is no longer recommended. Hence, all officially-suggested antimalarial drugs are now only via a doctor's prescription - doxycycline, atovaquone/proguanil, or mefloquine. (There are homoeopathic preventatives, but these are not officially recommended as antimalarials by official sites.)

Just out of interest, what time of year do they spray the KNP accommodation units? It would be interesting to read about the efforts to push back the malarial frontiers! Have just read that Italy used to have Malaria, and I certainly lived alongside malarial mosquitoes (not literally) in Bangkok as a child. Malaria used to affect a much greater area of South Africa, so it would be interesting to read how the boundaries have and can be pushed back..

Graham, with the climate change happening malaria, dengue and a couple of other parasites are actually crossing the Mediterranean again, making even Europe unsafe in places.
So pushing it back is not really happening.

I'm also interested when KNP units are sprayed. The malarial risk is definitely related to the amount of antimalarial spraying that takes place in an area.

Interesting that Italy is now being considered as a malarial risk area again, especially as it has been malaria free for several decades. And, with the large amounts of mosquitoes around places like Venice, this is not good news.

Malaria was rife in Italy until well after WW2. Draining the Pontine Marshes was one of the measures taken to reduce the incidence. This also contributed to the demise of wild buffalo in the country, which used to occur in the tens of thousands. The US Army also sprayed just about the entire population of Naples and other cities with DDT (which, by the way, was also sprayed from huge trucks along packed New York City beaches in summer).

Last outbreak of malaria in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, was in 1956. Malaria occured as recently as the early 20th century in Scandinavia. It only disappeared when peasants no longer spent the whole winter under the same roof as their domestic animals.

That malaria is now considered a tropical disease only proves how short memories people have.

The risk of contracting malaria in Kruger as a tourist is so insignificant that is not worth thinking about for a second. There are far greater risks in life, such as crossing a street or driving a car. Heck, even driving a car in Kruger is far more dangerous. Just off the top of my head I can think of seven people killed in road traffic accidents in Kruger in recent years. How many malaria deaths can you think of?

Johan

Can not find an article about Italy being affected this year? Do you reckon Scientific Services would give us details on how they prevent malaria? Do they spray generally or just accommodation etc? How often?

Was in the park mid Aug and did not see a single mozzie! Sprayed myself at dusk and dawn but did not take anti-malarials. Was more worried about being killed by a hippo on our walk!

The Guidelines for the Prevention of Malaria in South Africa were developed by the National Department of Health in close collaboration with several stakeholders and malaria experts:

• Mrs Lee Baker, Medicines information consultant, Amayeza Information Centre
• Dr Lucille Blumberg, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service
• Assoc Prof Karen Barnes, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cape Town
• Dr Frank Hansford, Department of Health (Chairperson)
• Dr Cornelia Duvenage, Department of Internal Medicine, 1 Military Hospital
• Dr Gerhard Swart, CDC, Mpumalanga Department of Health
• Dr Etienne Immelman, KwaZulu Natal Department of Health
• Dr Jan van den Ende, Drs Martin & Sim/Toga Laboratories Pty Ltd
• Dr Bonnie Maloba, Dr Eunice Misiani, Ms Tsakani Furumele and Dr Devanand Moonasar, National Department of Health

They identify KNP as a high risk area and recommend preventative measures.



As a pharmacist with 30 years experience I support these guidelines and think it is irresponsible to say that the risk of contacting malaria in KNP is insignificant.

Thanks for the map Duke Ellieton (great name!). The map suggests what I thought - I visited in August and did not take anti-malarials which the guidance seems to support.

That doesn't mean I won't get bitten, nor does it mean that if I go to Mtunzini I can't contract it!

I totally agree with you Duke, and so would my friend Nicki, who's cousin came to "somewhere near Kruger" to work with the local communities, last year.

He apparently had decided not to take anti-malarials, contracted the disease, and sadly died.