In South Africa, as in most other parts of the world, the threat of malaria is slowly being weakened by the use of preventative measures such as prophylaxis, awareness, use of mosquito nets, etc.
However, it is always challenging as a parent to decide on whether or not it will be necessary for our children to be protected against it when they go away on school trips, many of which take place in areas with relatively high risk.
In South Africa, the risk of malaria infection is highest from October to May, the most likely time for thunderstorms and humid conditions to occur, a thriving ecosystem for mosquitoes. Areas commonly known to carry a threat of malaria include the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, and northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Children going on school trips will usually be informed of whether or not the area they are visiting carries any risk of diseases such as malaria, but if you are a concerned parent, it is always best to find out for yourself, both from the school and the destination where the trip is planned, whether or not it is needed.
You should also find out what the best course of treatment will be for your child, as many of the medications available may bring about side effects that could affect your child’s experience on the trip such as nausea, dizziness, insomnia, vomiting and in some cases even nightmares and hallucinations.
Your GP or any experts in the area in question will be able to advise you as to the best method to follow when preparing your child for a school trip.
Written by Wesley Geyer
Creative writer at ATKA SA
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