Livingwiththelions.co.uk

Health Advice when travelling to South Africa
Advice for All Destinations
The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveller. It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse who will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or anti-malarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure & insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken. Immunisations for travel to South Africa
 Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life
in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or
complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal
vaccines for the elderly).
 Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; hepatitis A; influenza A
 Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; rabies; cholera; typhoid.
 A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age
coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission. Notes on the diseases mentioned above
 Tetanus is contracted through dirty cuts and scratches. This is a serious infection of
 Typhoid and Hepatitis A are spread through contaminated food and water. Typhoid
causes septicaemia and hepatitis A causes liver inflammation and jaundice. In risk areas you should be immunised if good hygiene is impossible.  Cholera is spread through contaminated water and food. More common during
floods and rainy seasons. Those unable to take effective precautions, for example, during wars and when working in refugee camps or slums may consider vaccination.  Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted via droplet infection. BCG vaccination is
recommended for travellers under 16 years of age who will be living or working with local people for a prolonged period of time (three months or more). Following individual risk assessment, vaccination may also be considered for travellers under the age of 35 years who may be at high risk through their occupation abroad eg healthcare workers.  Diphtheria is also spread by droplet infection through close personal contact.
Vaccination is advised if close contact with locals in risk areas is likely.  Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual
intercourse, It affects the liver, causes jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Vaccination is recommended for those at occupational risk (e.g. health care workers), for long stays or frequent travel to medium and high risk areas, for those more likely to be exposed such as children (from cuts and scratches) and those who may need surgical procedures.  Rabies is spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. It is
always fatal. Vaccination is advised for those going to risk areas that will be remote from a reliable source of vaccine. Even when pre-exposure vaccines have been received urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite.  Influenza A (H1N1) is spread via airborne droplets among crowded populations and
in enclosed spaces. Transmission may also occur through direct contact with respiratory secretions and infected individuals. Travellers to the Southern Hemisphere during the influenza season (April to September) may be at risk of infection. Travellers exposed to crowded conditions (e.g. cruise travel, public transport, large gatherings, tour groups) are at greater risk. This is particularly important for those travelling to the football World Cup in June 2010. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria. Malaria precautions
 The risk is high in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces which border Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Includes Kruger National Park. Risk also in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal as far south as Jozini. There is low to no risk in all other parts of the country including the tourist centre of Sun City and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.  Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.  Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.  Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually recommended for  If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure. for full & comprehensive information and always seek professional medical advice. Living With The Lions staff are not qualified to give out medical advice, so you should always visit a qualified medical practitioner prior to travelling to South Africa.

Source: http://www.livingwiththelions.co.uk/schools/SAhealthadvice1.pdf