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  1. #1
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    Default Malaria advisory: Includes SA risk areas

    There's some useful info in this press release, including which parts of South Africa are malaria areas:

    South Africans must remain vigilant in protecting against malaria
    Healthcare experts caution travellers ahead of World Malaria Day 2012


    For a nation that generally enjoys spending time outdoors and travelling into the bushveld, many South Africans are worryingly lax about protecting themselves from malaria.

    Ahead of World Malaria Day, 25 April 2012, Dr Peter Vincent of Netcare Travel Clinics and Medicross Tokai Family Medical Centre, cautions that this is a huge mistake.

    The South African National Department of Health Malaria Control Programme reported the number of cases in January 2012 as 2267 with 16 deaths, and in February 2012 as 968 cases with 10 deaths. A total of 67% of February cases came from the endemic regions of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, while 31% came from Gauteng, mainly in travellers.

    New research indicates that worldwide, malaria kills approximately 1.2 million people annually, double the number that was previously ascribed to malaria deaths. The study was conducted by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation in Seattle, Washington in the United States of America.

    According to Dr Vincent malaria is on the whole more of a threat to those individuals who are not aware of the dangers of the disease or how to protect themselves from it. However, South Africans living in malaria areas and travellers to such areas should not assume that they are safe in their knowledge of malaria as they may have misconceptions about it.

    “While most people are aware that malaria is a serious illness, many individuals mistakenly believe that taking prophylaxis is a good enough protective measure. In fact, none of the preventative medications available — doxycycline, mefloquine and atovaquone/proguanil —offer complete protection against malaria.”

    “Having said that, prophylactic medications most certainly do provide a large measure of protection and could well save your life, so be sure to take them if they have been recommended by your doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic,” he adds. “It is a myth that prophylaxis does not provide protection against the development of cerebral malaria. It is also untrue that prophylaxis makes diagnosis of malaria more difficult, as is sometimes rumoured.”

    Dr Vincent says certain patients have told him that they have visited malaria areas more than once without prophylaxis and have never contracted malaria. “This is not to be recommended, however, as malaria can be a very dangerous disease if not diagnosed early. Even if you do get bitten by an infected mosquito, prophylaxis is almost certainly going to help to reduce the severity of the symptoms.”

    Therefore, when travelling to a malaria area it is important to take the prescribed medication that is right for you. However the best way to prevent malaria is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in the first place. “This cannot be overemphasised,” says Dr Vincent. “Remember that the malaria mosquito is a dusk to dawn feeder and even if you are taking prophylaxis you should change into long sleeved shirts and blouses and long pants for the evening sun-downers. Also use insect repellents containing DEET on all areas of the skin that are exposed and sleep under mosquito nets.”

    The distribution of mosquito nets has led to some reduction in malaria cases in children of indigenous populations in Africa’s malaria areas, but now there is new hope on the horizon. A trial malaria vaccine called RTS,S has been developed, the first results of which indicated a 55% reduction in malaria cases in children from five months old to 17 months, over a period of one year. It is thought that the vaccine may possibly be ready for distribution by 2015. This will help to make a significant impact in reversing the incidence of malaria in Africa.

    “Those who suspect they may have malaria should seek immediate medical assistance. Any flu-like symptoms on your return and for the next three to six months should be regarded as possible malaria and requires an urgent blood test and appropriate action,” concludes Dr Vincent.

    Ends



    Notes for journalists:

    · What is malaria?

    Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted into the human body through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once in the liver these parasites multiply and infect the body’s red blood cells, affecting the supply of blood to vital organs. Malaria symptoms typically appear 10 to 15 days after being bitten and include fever, headache and vomiting. If left untreated malaria can be fatal.

    There are five different species of parasite causing malaria, namely:

    - Plasmodium falciparum
    - Plasmodium vivax
    - Plasmodium malariae
    - Plasmodium ovale
    - Plasmodium knowlesi

    The first two of these are the most common types of malaria with Plasmodium falciparum being the most dangerous of them all.

    · Who is most at risk of contracting malaria?

    Anyone entering or living in a malaria area is at risk. The longer the stay the higher the risk. Campers are more at risk than those staying in lodges. Pregnant females, children under five years of age and individuals with compromised immune systems are at particularly high risk of acquiring malaria if they do not take recommended malaria prophylaxis.

    · What are the malaria areas in South Africa?

    - High-risk areas from September to May: Lowveld of Mpumalanga and in Limpopo including the Kruger National Park and bordering private game reserves.
    - Intermediate-risk areas from September to May: Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay, Mkusi Game Reserve and St Lucia Lake. Malaria prophylaxis is only necessary for high-risk travellers in these areas.
    - Low-risk areas from September to May: North West Province and Northern Cape along the Orange and Molopo Rivers and Kgalagadi Trans Frontier National Park. Precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites are required only.

    · What should people who live in malaria areas do to protect themselves from malaria?

    It is very important for people living in malaria areas to make their residences and sleeping accommodation as mosquito free as possible with window and door screens, indoor/outdoor spraying, sleeping under mosquito nets, using DEET spray on exposed skin areas and covering up between dusk and dawn. It can also be helpful to develop a culture of taking appropriate prophylaxis continually for individuals staying in a malaria area for a limited period only, i.e. one to two years.

  2. #2
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    Thank you for the info!!!Current note:A very close friend of mine was released from Hospital in Cape Town yesterday(+/- 24yrs old-girl).She was in Moz over Easter weekend.She was very ill but has responded to treatment well with all relevant side effects.
    Beware!!!!!!!!!

    thanks
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    Another of those posts that I think should become a sticky and locked for future comments. Anybody that has malaria questions, can start a new thread on it. M2cw. Tony, thanks for sharing
    "If you don't care where you are, you ain't lost"

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    It is also untrue that prophylaxis makes diagnosis of malaria more difficult, as is sometimes rumoured
    This rumour is the reason why my parents never forced us to take prophylaxis. I once took my own when visiting Mozambique and Botswana, but other than that, nothing.
    We are however extremely pro-active in preventing getting bitten, and after having visited a malaria area we do not hesitate to go to the doctor for any flu-like symptoms to get tested.

    I have also heard this rumour many times from other people. It's good to finally read that it is only a rumour, and not a fact!
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    Thanks Tony. The dangers of malaria need to be constantly re-emphasised.
    Stanley Weakley.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stan Weakley View Post
    Thanks Tony. The dangers of malaria need to be constantly re-emphasised.
    Indeed Stan, and the misinformation needs to be countered. A very worrying development is that an artemisan resistant strain is being reported from southern Asia.

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    Resistant strains. It is astounding how resiliant and adaptable nature can be. Darwin would be proud. The sensitive malaria strains fail to thrive and the resistant strains multiply and become dominant. Halfhearted prophylaxis exarcebates this resistance.

    It is scary how rapidly this happens with bacteria and antibiotics.

    The vaccines are also not yet 100% effective so far, but one just needs to reach a critical balance and with time malaria might almost dissappear. Witness Polio and Smallpox.

    Take effective prophlaxis diligently.
    Stanley Weakley.
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    I.ve got lots of experience from a plant extract in a product callled ''Demal 200'' marketed by a company called ''The blue turtle Group''. Really works and it claims to be safe for kids and pregnant women.

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    Quote Originally Posted by lourensjl View Post
    I.ve got lots of experience from a plant extract in a product callled ''Demal 200'' marketed by a company called ''The blue turtle Group''. Really works and it claims to be safe for kids and pregnant women.
    What a load of bull and extermely irrisponsible from you.!
    There is no scientific proof or any clinical trails that were conducted for this product.
    Last edited by mfuwefarmer; 2012/04/24 at 07:23 AM.

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    Blue Turtle Remedial Sciences and their subsidiaries offer no guarantees as to the efficacy of this medicine which is not licensed for use for medical purposes in Europe; North America or Australasia.

    lourensjl, you really need to examine your conscience. How can you possibly advocate usage of this product which is not licenced for medical usage in the civilised world. The above disclaimer is from the official website of this product.

    Should someone die from malaria after following your advice you will ultimately be judged very harshly. I cannot condem your irresponsible posting severely enough. I hope you do not have a commercial interest in this product. I do have the medical credentials to react in this manner.
    Stanley Weakley.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Flip Marais View Post
    This rumour is the reason why my parents never forced us to take prophylaxis. I once took my own when visiting Mozambique and Botswana, but other than that, nothing.
    We are however extremely pro-active in preventing getting bitten, and after having visited a malaria area we do not hesitate to go to the doctor for any flu-like symptoms to get tested.

    I have also heard this rumour many times from other people. It's good to finally read that it is only a rumour, and not a fact!
    Where are the doctors / pathologists?

    Does the use of prophylaxis not mask the parasite and make it more difficult to detect through blood tests?

    How did this rumour start, or is it truth?
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    Quote Originally Posted by bvandyk View Post
    Where are the doctors / pathologists?

    Does the use of prophylaxis not mask the parasite and make it more difficult to detect through blood tests?

    How did this rumour start, or is it truth?
    I also want to know this because a doctor gave me the advice. Now it is a rumor and I would really want to know the truth.

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    Prophylaxis definately does not mask the diagnosis of malaria. The number of malaria parasites in the blood peaks in cycles, coinciding with the fever peaks. If the first smear is negative it must always be repeated, even a few times, if the possibility of malaria is present.

    This is where the absolute myth of the diagnosis being hidden by prophylaxis has arisen. Falsely negative malaria tests arise just as often where no prophylaxis has been taken, because of the parasite cycle. Believe Dr Peter Vincent's article.

    If still in doubt ask your trusted GP or seek expert advice from a travel clinic.
    Stanley Weakley.
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    http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...e16?highlight= from post 315.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bvandyk View Post
    Where are the doctors / pathologists?
    You just got some sound advice from Dr Stan!

    Life is all about choices and I guess taking prophylaxis or not is just one of the many choices one has to make. Taking prophylaxis is definately the way to go if you dont live in an high risk area!

    In our case, we dont take anything because we live here and our clinics and the local doctors know how to treat the disease effectively if diagnosed early. However for severe neglected cases treatment in SA would be prefered as the ICU's are better equiped and manned.

    Best is dont get infected and take your prophylaxis or risk being boxed
    Last edited by mfuwefarmer; 2012/04/25 at 09:31 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stan Weakley View Post
    Blue Turtle Remedial Sciences and their subsidiaries offer no guarantees as to the efficacy of this medicine which is not licensed for use for medical purposes in Europe; North America or Australasia.

    lourensjl, you really need to examine your conscience. How can you possibly advocate usage of this product which is not licenced for medical usage in the civilised world. The above disclaimer is from the official website of this product.

    Should someone die from malaria after following your advice you will ultimately be judged very harshly. I cannot condem your irresponsible posting severely enough. I hope you do not have a commercial interest in this product. I do have the medical credentials to react in this manner.

    My post was not an prescription nor an advert, it was an testimony. I can provide anybody with many more ''credential'' testimonies. I regard this matter as closed from my side on this forum. Contact me on ''Private messaging'' for further discussion.

    ''CONDEMNATION WITHOUT INVESTIGATION, LEADS TO IGNORANCE!''

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Weaver View Post
    A very worrying development is that an artemisan resistant strain is being reported from southern Asia.
    Also read about this, scary, I assume it would react differently, not only to preventative meds, but also to meds used for treating the virus ?

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    Thanks for sharing.
    Last edited by Expat; 2012/04/26 at 03:29 PM.
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    I thought a "testimony" was an undertaking to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help me ......etc.

    Perhaps some members might consider my reaction as over the top. But I feel ethically obliged to attack such dangerous misinformation with all at my disposal.
    Stanley Weakley.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stan Weakley View Post
    Prophylaxis definately does not mask the diagnosis of malaria. The number of malaria parasites in the blood peaks in cycles, coinciding with the fever peaks. If the first smear is negative it must always be repeated, even a few times, if the possibility of malaria is present.

    This is where the absolute myth of the diagnosis being hidden by prophylaxis has arisen. Falsely negative malaria tests arise just as often where no prophylaxis has been taken, because of the parasite cycle. Believe Dr Peter Vincent's article.

    If still in doubt ask your trusted GP or seek expert advice from a travel clinic.
    Thank you Stan!
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    http://www.malariasite.com/

    Antimalarial drugs taken for prophylaxis by travelers can delay the appearance of malaria symptoms by weeks or months, long after the traveler has left the malaria-endemic area. (This can happen particularly with P. vivax and P. ovale, both of which can produce dormant liver stage parasites; the liver stages may reactivate and cause disease months after the infective mosquito bite.)
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