Southern Africa: Mosquito Season in Southern Africa – Tonic Water and Vitamins Won’t Protect You, But Knowing Where the Hot Spots Are

While the emergence of colorful butterflies is a welcome sign of summer, the constant buzzing of mosquitoes is an annoying part of the season.

Mosquitoes are more than just pests. They are the most dangerous animal in the world. Their presence heralds the start of the malaria season in southern Africa.

It is for this reason that the South African Development Community recognizes the first week of November as SADC Malaria Week, with November 6 as SADC Malaria Day.

During this week the dangers of malaria are highlighted. While South Africa is getting closer elimination of malariathis has become more important because many South Africans are not aware of the malaria risk within the country’s borders.

Read more: The seven steps South Africa is taking to get closer to malaria eradication

Know your enemy

Malaria is most commonly spread through a bite from an infected female Anopheles mosquito. In rare cases, malaria can spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or sharing contaminated needles.

There is also the possibility that mothers can pass the disease on to their babies in the meantime pregnant or during childbirth.

Mosquitoes that spread malaria are usually only active in between dusk and dawn. Some mosquitoes, especially the big black and white ones Aedes mosquitoesare active during the day. These mosquitoes spread diseases such as yellow fever and Zika.

Although malaria-spreading mosquitoes are active at night, it is not the mosquitoes that cause malaria annoying buzzing sound which prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep.

Instead, malaria mosquitoes are virtually silent, often called silent killers. Often you only notice that you have been bitten when it is too late.

Most malaria vectors tend to bite and rest outdoors. This means that you have to be extra careful when you are outside.

Know the whereabouts of your enemy

Malaria mosquitoes require specific environmental conditions to reproduce and survive.

They are found in low-lying tropical areas in most South African countries, with the exception of Lesotho and the Seychelles. Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe have regions with a high malaria risk.

In South Africa, malaria is limited to the low-lying border areas of the northern provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Before visiting any of these areas, familiarize yourself with the malaria risk map for South Africa and take appropriate precautions.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the risk of malaria is particularly high during the December holidays. This is due to the warm, wet weather conditions that promote mosquito growth.

In recent years, the non-endemic South African province Gauteng has reported a large number of cases. This can happen in any province: it has happened incidents in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, as well as in the North West.

Most of these cases are imported from high-risk areas within and outside South Africa.

A few rare cases are the result of Odyssian malaria (also known as taxi or airport malaria).

This is happening all over Africa. It is largely related to migration. This happens when one or more malaria mosquitoes are accidentally transported from their natural habitat. They can then randomly infect people outside the malaria risk area.

If you have an unexplained fever in the summer, think of malaria. This also applies if you have not traveled to a malaria risk area.

It is especially important if you are staying near a major transportation route or transportation hub. Consider places such as taxi ranks or bus depots.

Know your enemy’s game plan

Malaria can be prevented and treated. The chance of full recovery is very high if a malaria infection is detected early. This is helped by prompt treatment with effective antimalarial drugs.

Symptoms of the milder version of malaria (uncomplicated malaria) are non-specific. This may include fever, headache, sluggishness, nausea and muscle/joint pain.

Loss of consciousness, convulsions, jaundice and renal failure are associated with the more serious, life-threatening form of malaria.

Read more: We’re one step closer to figuring out why mosquitoes bite some people and not others

Protect yourself from the enemy

The easiest way to avoid getting malaria is to avoid being bitten by an infected mosquito.

If you are outside at night, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks and use insect repellent that contains at least this 30% of the insect repellent DEET.

Doors and windows must be shielded. Whenever possible, sleep under a mosquito net or in an air-conditioned room.

In addition to these non-pharmaceutical measures, you can protect yourself by taking medicines against malaria which you can get at a pharmacy or a primary care clinic.

Discuss your options against malaria with a healthcare provider.

Medicines that prevent malaria do not mask the symptoms of the disease.

The recommended treatment in South Africa, artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem), is very effective. This is the most common malaria treatment throughout Africa.

Sign up for free to AllAfrica newsletters

Receive the latest African news straight to your inbox

Success!