At some point in your life, whether in the course of duty as a diplomat in a country such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or while visiting a popular holiday destination like the Kruger National Park you could come in contact with one of the three most deadliest infectious diseases on earth - malaria.
Malaria is caused by parasites that infect both humans and animals. However, by taking precautions when travelling to areas where malaria mosquitos are present and knowing what to do should you contract the disease, you could prevent it from becoming a life threatening healthcare risk.
Taking control of your health with GEMS
At the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) we encourage our members to take control of their health as well as that of their family by being well informed and being mindful of diseases, such as malaria before they become a serious healthcare risk. World Malaria Day is being observed on 25 March and this article forms part of the GEMS commitment to providing our members with information and support that will empower them in living a healthy life.
How do I get malaria?
Malaria is a disease that is spread through the bite of a certain type of mosquito called the Anopheles mosquito. An infected mosquito bites a person and injects malaria parasites into the bloodstream.
How can I protect my family when I visit a country where malaria is common?
Do your research by talking to your travel agent or trawling the internet if the area you are visiting or relocating to is a malaria area. Countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, the DRC, Sudan and Uganda have particularly high prevalence of malaria. Malaria is also found in parts of South America, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola, Namibia and South Africa including Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Maputaland in KwaZulu-Natal.
If you are visiting a malaria area speak to your local pharmacist or doctor to find out what preventative medications or prophylaxis you and your children should take.
On visiting a malaria area do everything possible to make sure you or your child do not get bitten by mosquitoes. Also make sure each member of your family takes their prescribed anti-malarial medication. Use repellents, insecticide fabric sprays on your clothes and insecticide-treated mosquito nets to cover your bed when sleeping. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre recommends you wear long trousers and long-sleeved clothes after sunset and use sprays or coils that will kill any mosquitoes before going to bed.
If you were bought up in a malaria area or have lived in such an area for a long time you may have acquired a passive immunity to the illness that is developed by being exposed to it. However, be aware that this protection may be lost when you have not lived in a malaria area for a while.
What are the symptoms?
If you were unfortunate enough to be bitten by an Anopheles mosquito you may display the following symptoms
Should you have any of these symptoms visit your doctor immediately. Also be aware that the symptoms of the disease can appear anything from a week or even as long as two weeks after you were first bitten. Very occasionally it may even take a few months before symptoms appear. Those who have been in malaria areas should therefore remain vigilant for months after returning from a malaria area. Should you develop flu-like symptoms at any stage it is strongly suggested that you visit your doctor and have a blood test done as a precaution.
Health Protection Surveillance Centre: http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/Publications/InformationLeafletsfortheGeneralPublic/File,4678,en.pdf
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