On the 10th of May, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported that there is a significant increase in mosquito and malaria cases in endemic provinces and Gauteng. Many cases of severe malaria occurred due to late presentation or late detection of symptoms.
The NICD announced that any individual presenting fever or flu-like symptoms, residing in a malaria-risk area in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, or has travelled to a malaria-risk area in the past six weeks, must be tested for malaria by blood smear microscopy, or malaria rapid diagnostic test. If they test positive for malaria, the patient must be started on malaria treatment immediately.
The institute also mentions Odyssean or “taxi malaria”, which should be considered in a patient with unexplained fever who has not traveled to a malaria-endemic area but is getting progressively sicker, with a low platelet count. “Taxi malaria” is transmitted by hitch-hiking mosquitoes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes malaria as a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, but notes that malaria is preventable and curable.
The emphasis by WHO that malaria is preventable and curable, aligns with the messaging for World Malaria Day 2023 which was marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.
What has caused the malaria outbreak?
Compared to the previous season where large-spread droughts were experienced across the country, the 2016/17 season has seen to good rainfalls and higher humidity levels. These are the ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and could be seen as a large contributing factor to the increase in malaria cases in South Africa.
A wet, warm environment provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, and especially with regular rains, a water mecca accumulates; paradise for mosquitoes!
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), almost double the number of cases were reported this year compared to the previous year! Furthermore, Business Day states that half of these cases were caused by local transmission, as the weather – combined with a sub-optimal household spraying programme in Limpopo – has a potentially deadly effect.
Symptoms of malaria
Malaria symptoms usually appear between 7 and 18 days after becoming infected, but in some cases symptoms may not appear until a year has passed, and sometimes even longer.
Symptoms include:
- High temperature
- Sweats and chills
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Muscle Pains
- Diarrhoea
Although the symptoms of malaria are those shared by the flu, linking these to a mosquito bite can help identify the disease.
Malaria treatment
Travelers from both low and high malaria risk areas that are experiencing fever and flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention and ask for a malaria test, even if antimalarial chemoprophylaxis was taken.
Although malaria can be lethal, it is an entirely preventable and treatable disease. Treating malaria is not something that can be done with antibiotics, and should be carried out by doctors in order to successfully eliminate the Plasmodium parasite from the patient’s blood.
Malaria prevention
Early treatment is most effective, so if you are considering traveling to Limpopo (specifically the western area of the Waterberg District) or Mpumalanga, the CDC recommends antimalarial medication such as atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, and mefloquine.
How to prevent mosquito bites
Mosquito bites not only spread malaria; other diseases such as Dengue fever, West Nile virus, Yellow fever and the Zika Virus are also spread in the same manner.
Be sure to take the following precautions against mosquito bites, regardless of where and when you travel:
- Indoor residual spraying should begin in August, before the rainy season starts
- Be sure to use insect repellent when outdoors
- Stay indoors in an air-conditioned or well-screened building
- Sleep under an insecticide treated mosquito net during the peak biting period for mosquitoes (dusk and dawn).
- Mosquito traps: Installing mosquito traps and zappers will help keep these biting insects away
- Remove still standing water: mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in stagnant water. Eliminating the potential breeding sites from your property will make it less appealing to mosquitoes.
- Trim hedges and lawns: mosquitoes prefer hiding out low lying vegetation – be sure to keep your hedges and lawns trimmed!
See more tips on getting rid of mosquitoes here
Professional treatment
Contacting a pest controller or exterminator is the most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes. The range of services and solutions they can offer will help keep mosquitoes away and reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
Need help with getting rid of mosquitoes? Contact Rentokil Pest control for your free survey today!
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