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I think it all comes down to personal opinion. I have always taken anti-malaria meds in the summer months when visiting Kruger but never in the winter months. Luckily I never seem to suffer from side-effects.

For my upcoming trip I have just got something called Malarone which I have never used before so we shall see.

Hi hope someone is able to answer this question.(my dr is away and can't get hold of him to ask)
I am planning on arriving at the kruger park on Friday at about 12pm- if I start to take the Malanil on Thursday night will I still be protected against the malaria or it is not in my system for enough time before arriving?
TIA

Hi thebush.

Ideally, Malanil should be started 2-3 days prior to entry of a malarial area, used for the time in the malarial area, and then continued for a week after exiting the malarial area. Some sources say 1 day prior to entry of the malarial area is also sufficient. Remember that malaria is not an instant disease in that it takes a few days before the progression of the disease is severe enough to be noticed and to cause problems; therefore, even if you were unlucky to be infected on day 1 (pretty unlikely really), as long as you take Malanil every day at the correct dosing and don't skip doses, the blood levels should be sufficient to prevent you getting malaria, or at the very least lessening the severity of the disease.

Personally, I wouldn't be overconcerned with taking Malanil 12 hours before you enter Kruger because, in any case, malaria infection could only really take place from that evening, which is about 24 hours (1 day) since you began the course. The most important thing is to take the course diligently after beginning; to not forget that non-drug measures (antimalarial sprays, plug-in mats, netting, citronella candles, etc.) are just as, if not more, important as antimalarial medication; and to enjoy your holiday!

Disclaimer: My recommendations here - though based on some experience and some drug knowledge - are not absolute, and further consultation with suitable health-care professionals is suggested before a final decision is taken on whether to enter a malarial area, what prophylaxis to use, and any general factors and limitations that need to be taken into account. Furthermore, I only advise based on what information is given by the person(s) entering the malarial area, but I have no control on the information given to me, and so such information could possibly be incomplete or misleading.

With the amount of rain that fell in Kruger, great precaution must be taken in the next few months. Rather be safe thatn sorry.

Are there any figures or estimates as to how many people contract malaria after visits to K.P.?
Perhaps on a monthly basis.
Many thanks.

what is the incubation period for malaria?

Yusuf, 7 to 12 days.

Malaria is well alive and kicking in Kruger! Make sure you take precautions.

Tanks wildtuinman.Will be at LS for 8 days in june GOD willing. Will precautions with spray and coils be sufficient?

Yusuf, my ex-wife picked up malaria in Kruger in May 2003 (being bitten once at Lower Sabie and once at Balule, so take extra care at these two camps). Since then a lot of people had asked me for advice and every time I say the same thing: I cannot give you advice as I am not a doctor. But the one thing I can tell you is to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito at all costs. So yes use spray and burn coils, do whatever is necessary to prevent you from getting bitten.

The deadliest place for me personally where one has an absolutely awesome chance of getting bitten is in the communal bathrooms. It is nice and warm and humid in there, perfect habitat for a mozzie and once you are in your birth suite you give an open invitation to get bitten! So take extra caution here.

Enjoy your trip and have a blast!

For Plasmodium Falciparum - which is the by far the most common, and generally also the most dangerous, form of malaria in Southern Africa (and also many other parts of the world) - the incubation period (that is, the time from infection until the disease shows itself) is usually between 1 and 3 weeks. However, some malaria infections only manifest later, even up to three to six months, although this appears to be much rarer and is usually the result of an inadequate (incorrect dosing) or incomplete (course not completed or doses missed) treatment of antimalarial medications.

Other forms of malaria, which are known as recurring forms, are seldom fatal, but have incubation periods usually up to a year, or even longer. These forms (P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale) are seldom encountered in Southern Africa.

It is important, therefore, to ensure that one takes adequate precautions against malaria bites in malarial areas (especially during high-risk season, but also in low-risk times), and, when appropriate, that one uses antimalarial medications.

Disclaimer: My recommendations here - though based on some experience and some drug knowledge - are not absolute, and further consultation with suitable health-care professionals is suggested before a final decision is taken on whether to enter a malarial area, what prophylaxis to use, and any general factors and limitations that need to be taken into account. Furthermore, I only advise based on what information is given by the person(s) entering the malarial area, but I have no control on the information given to me, and so such information could possibly be incomplete or misleading.

All camps in Kruger have malaria-carrying mosquitoes that can infect people; those nearest water do generally appear to have more mosquitoes - but no camp, and indeed no area of Kruger, is free of these dangerous insects! High-risk time means an even greater quantity of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

I do agree that communal bathrooms can pose a higher risk of contracting malaria as the body is indeed usually exposed in its entirety and windows and doors may be open.

Disclaimer: My recommendations here - though based on some experience and some drug knowledge - are not absolute, and further consultation with suitable health-care professionals is suggested before a final decision is taken on whether to enter a malarial area, what prophylaxis to use, and any general factors and limitations that need to be taken into account. Furthermore, I only advise based on what information is given by the person(s) entering the malarial area, but I have no control on the information given to me, and so such information could possibly be incomplete or misleading.

Does anyone know what the current risk status is for malaria in KNP? Also, those who have been there recently - are there still lots of mozzies?

Watched an interesting TV program the other night , wherein it was stated that according to research , about 92 % of infectious mozzi bites take place around your ankles . So , just by covering your ankles , the chances of you receiving malaria could be reduced by 92 %

Wrists are another mozzie bite hot spot for some reason.

If you are covered up in those areas would they go for uncovered areas or other people who are uncovered there.

Now there's a doctorate waiting........

Hey BB , try this next time you see/find a mozzi feeding on you . As soon as his proboscis is properly sunk into your flesh , place your thumb and finger on either sides of him and stretch your skin .
Mozzi's proboscis gets trapped , and he cannot withdraw , and he cannot stop sucking blood either .
His whole body becomes gorged and bloated with blood , making it easy to kill him .
Watch out for splattering blood