A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required
from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas.
The South African authorities decide which African countries and
the Americas are formerly classified as infected areas and endemic
zones. The yellow fever vaccination certificate only becomes legitimate
10 days after immunisation.
B
Visitors may wish to contemplate precautions against Cholera,
depending on the area in South Africa being visited, there was an
outbreak in the Nkomazi area, Mpumalanga Province, which borders
Mozambique in February 2004.
C
Vaccination against typhoid is recommended. An
outbreak of typhoid arised in the town of Delmas, Mpumulanga in
September 2005.
D
Malaria risk, mainly in the malignant falciparum
form, exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga
Province (including the Kruger National Park), Limpopo, and northeastern
KwaZulu / Natal as far south as the Tugela River. The risk is maximum
from October to May. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine -
pyrimethamine has been reported.
It is strongly advised that visitors to these zones take anti -
malaria tablets before entering these areas (the tablets are available
from pharmacies without prescription). The suggested prophylaxis
is mefloquine (World Health Organization) or chloroquine plus pyrimethamine
(South African High Commission).
Food
and Drink
Mains water is considered safe to drink in urban
areas however may be contaminated elsewhere and sterilisation is
advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairyproducts
are safe for consumption. Local meat, seafood,
poultry, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Health care
Medical facilities are good in urban areas, however
limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals often necessitate immediate
cash payment. Comprehensive health insurance is
advised. A leaflet on health precautions is available from the South
African High Commission (please see Passport / Visa Information).
Other risks
Measels has been present in the KwaZulu - Natal
and Gauteng provinces. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
is widespread in the east and north and may be present elsewhere.
Please avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water, swimming pools
that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe.
Hepatitis A arises and hepatitis B is hyperendemic.
Dengue fever, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), onchocerciasis
(river blindness) and filariasis are present.
Rabies
may also be present. For those at high risk, vaccination before
arrival is recommended. If you are bitten, please seek medical advice
without delay.
