Malaria Update
Malaria transmission in endemic areas in South Africa extended into late May and early June; however, the number of cases has decreased significantly in the past two weeks.
Malaria is endemic in three of South Africa’s nine provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. Residents and travellers are encouraged to take necessary precautions, and keep a high index of awareness of malaria symptoms.
Malaria is commonly misdiagnosed as influenza. Any person with a history of travel to a malaria risk area who presents with fever and flu-like symptoms should consult a medical practitioner. Clinicians should be vigilant for malaria amongst travellers returning from malaria risk areas, especially given the prolonged malaria season, and overlap in clinical presentation with influenza infection.
