Kruger National Park Travel Forum

We have booked a two week holiday in South Africa for the end of August and the first week will be spent in the Kruger National Park. We are taking our five year old son and we are worried about the possibility of him catching malaria, particularly as it appears to be very dangerours to young children. Is anybody able to give me any kind of reassurance that we are doing the right thing? Obviously we will take all precautions available including anti malarial drugs and we will be staying in top class accommodation, but I am still worried.

The park is in the risk area for malaria, the peak risk period being December to April/May.

http://www.southafrica-travel.net/Parks/ie_kruge.htm

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/tourism/malaria.php

As malaria is spread by mosquitoes the quality of your accomodation is not really relevant: mosquitoes can be anywhere.

You need to talk with your own doctor about what is appropriate for your son. Malaria is always serious, and can kill. The prophylaxis for a five-year-old will not be the same as for adults. You need to take professional advice from your own doctor about this.

You are giving your son a wonderful experience: risks are often attached to such experiences. Weighing up risks for one's children is one of the the most difficult parts of being a parent. You have my sympathy, but in the end the decision has to be yours. Get as much information as you can from your doctor.

I think Leics has summed it up perfectly, mosquitoes pay no attention to the quality of the hotel. The only reassurance/advice you should be seeking should come from a properly qualified medical expert.

Regards

John

You have done about all you can before the trip. The most important thing with malaria is what you do after your trip . . . . .

If anyone gets flu like symptoms after a trip, go to a doctor and get blood tests for malaria. If caught early, malaria is not the big monster that everyone makes it out to be. We have family living in that area, and we visit there fairly often. Our family do not take anti-malaria medication, and it makes it much easier for their doctors to diagnose it if they do catch it. If we visit in August, we don't take medication either - but we will take it for a Xmas visit.

Mosquitoes, Malaria and Dengue Fever.

This is a question that appears quite a lot here on VT.
You will hear from people who never take any kind of medication.
You will hear from those who do.

May I suggest that you contact your own doctor, practice nurse or travel clinic and ask for their advice?
If they recommend that you use some form of medication, get them to recommend the treatment.
You may find that some treatments you make you ill, if so, ask the doctor for an alternative.

Different anti malaria medication effects different people in different ways, what is good for one person is not always good for another. You won't know this until you have tried a particular medicine.

At present, there is no cure for Dengue Fever.
Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

Is prevention better than the cure?
Of course it is.
DEET based products are the most effective way of repelling mosquitoes.
Available in different forms and strengths, users should always read the instructions carefully

“I will only be there 3 or 4 days, do I really need to take the medicine”
It does not matter, if it is an infected area, 3 or 4 minutes is all it takes to get Malaria.

Either way, you can return from your holiday with some great photographs, a sun tan and good memories or in a body bag.
The choice is yours.

True fact: - Malaria has killed more than half the people who have EVER lived.

This reply may appear to be a little melodramatic and over the top.
IT IS MEANT TO BE.
Too much irresponsible and bad information is given out over forums regarding the mosquito and its potential to kill.


Having said all that, it appears you are taking sensible precautions.
Relax and enjoy your holiday.

The best prevention is not to be bitten (take the tablets as well!). I have a good tip here (3rd down):

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/30b4a/21e7b4/8/

It has some good links and explains about 100% DEET repelant. Never been bitten with that on.

No one ever got ill or died from taking sensible precautions. Plan it in, pack it up and get moving! Have a great time!

All the best,

DAO

If you tell us what country you are from we can tell you where to get this stuff!