How to Prevent Mosquito Bites When Travelling to the Bush
Are you planning to take your family away to the bush these holidays? If you are visiting the Kruger National Park and other bush spots, it is important to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes in certain areas can transmit malaria, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Top Tips for Avoiding South African Malaria Risks
Here are some tips to help you stay safe and enjoy your trip:
- Wear permethrin-treated clothing when visiting malaria-endemic areas. This can help protect you from mosquito bites.
- Use effective repellents, such as mozzie patches, which can provide protection for up to 36 hours.
- Cover exposed skin to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
- If recommended for your destination, consider taking chemoprophylaxis drugs to help prevent malaria.
- Avoid peak mosquito season and times of day when mosquito activity is highest.
- Very young children and pregnant women should avoid travel to mosquito-endemic areas if possible.
Is the Kruger National Park a Mosquito Territory?
The Kruger National Park is located in the Lowveld Mpumalanga region of South Africa, which is considered a high-risk area for malaria. SANParks, the organization that manages the park, has reported a spike in malaria cases since September 2017. It is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent infection when visiting the Kruger Park. This can include taking suitable medication, such as prophylactic drugs, using repellents, and covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing.
What Everyone Should Know About Malaria
Malaria is a tropical disease. It is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. You can find this disease in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and it is preventable and curable with the right medication. However, if left untreated, it can be fatal.
There are several factors that can influence the transmission of malaria, including climate change, which can affect mosquito breeding patterns and activity. In some areas, mosquitoes can live for extended periods and feed on multiple hosts in a single night, increasing the risk of transmission.
High-risk areas for malaria in South Africa include the north-eastern Limpopo Province, the Lowveld Mpumalanga region (including the Kruger National Park), and the far northern areas of KwaZulu-Natal on the border of Mozambique. It is important to consider the risk of malaria when planning travel to these areas and to take appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of infection.
Essential Malaria Facts to Help You Understand the Disease
- Malaria is preventable using anti-malaria medication and other precautions, and it is also curable with the right medication.
- Early detection and treatment are key to controlling the disease and preventing transmission.
- The female mosquito spreads malaria from infected individuals through a blood meal.
- You cannot catch malaria from an infected person like you do with the flu or a cold since there is no person to person transmission.
- Individual immunity can play a role in the risk of contracting malaria. People living in malaria-endemic areas may develop some immunity to the disease over time.
- Climatic changes can affect the transmission of malaria by influencing mosquito breeding patterns and activity. For example, mosquito activity drastically reduces over winter months.
- In areas where mosquitoes can live longer and feed on more hosts per night, the risk of transmission is higher.
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites During Your Bush Stay
To reduce the risk of getting this deadly disease, it is important to avoid mosquito bites whenever possible. This includes wearing the right clothing to cover up, using safe repellents, and taking chemoprophylaxis drugs if recommended for your destination. Here are some other things to consider when planning a trip to the bush:
- Assess the risk of malaria at your destination and consider whether it is worth traveling there during peak mosquito season.
- Think about how long you will be staying in the high-risk area. The longer you are there, the greater the risk of getting bitten by a mosquito.
- Remember that there are certain times of day when mosquito activity is higher, so you may want to plan your activities accordingly.
- Consider traveling to mosquito-endemic areas during the off-season, when mosquito activity is typically lower, and you may be able to get better rates.
- If you are very young or pregnant, you may want to avoid travel to these areas altogether.
Use Mozzie Skin Patches to Stay Safe This Holiday
Taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites is essential when traveling to the bush, particularly in areas where malaria is prevalent. One effective way to protect yourself is by using Mozzie Patches, which provide long-lasting protection against mosquito bites.
Don’t let the fear of mosquito bites ruin your trip. Invest in Mozzie Patches and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are well-protected.
