Health Alert
Malaria in South Africa
Updated April 23, 2018Key Points
Cases of malaria have been reported in international travelers who visited the Waterberg district municipality of Limpopo Province. This is an area where malaria is not typically found.
Travelers to Waterberg, including resort areas, should take medicine to prevent malaria and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
Travelers to South Africa should also be aware of other areas of the country where malaria is typically found and take medicine to prevent malaria if traveling to any of those areas.
What is the current situation?
The United Kingdom (UK) has reported cases of malaria in UK residents who had returned from the Waterberg district municipality of Limpopo Province in South Africa. Waterberg had not previously been considered an area with malaria; however, local cases have been reported in the past.
Malaria is known to be a risk in other areas of Limpopo Province, including Vhembe and Mopani district municipalities. Other known malaria risk areas in South Africa include Ehlanzeni district municipality in Mpumalanga Province, Umknanyakude in KwaZulu-Natal Province, and Kruger National Park.
Public health authorities are responding to this outbreak by enhancing malaria surveillance, making sure that patients are diagnosed and treated promptly, and educating the community and health care workers on malaria.
What can travelers do to prevent malaria?
Travelers to Waterberg in Limpopo Province, including resort areas, should take medicine to prevent malaria. Talk with a doctor or nurse about medicine to prevent malaria before leaving the United States. Note: There are other areas in South Africa where CDC recommends travelers take medicine to prevent malaria. See malaria in South Africa for more information.
Travelers should also prevent mosquito bites(/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites) because malaria is spread by mosquitoes by
Using insect repellent when outside
Wearing long sleeves and pants when outside
Sleeping in an air-conditioned or well-screened room or under an insecticide-treated bed net
Learn more about malaria, how to prevent it, and what to do if you think you are infected at CDC’s malaria page for travelers(/travel/diseases/malaria).
Traveler Information
Malaria Traveler Brochure
Avoid Bug Bites
CDC Malaria Website
Clinician Information
Malaria(/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/malaria) in CDC Health Information for International Travel (“Yellow Book”)
Malaria and Travelers
Malaria Diagnosis & Treatment in the United States
See Malaria Cases in UK Travelers to South Africa for more information.
File Formats Help:
How do I view different file formats (PDF, DOC, PPT, MPEG) on this site?
Adobe PDF file
Page created: October 20, 2017
Page last updated: April 06, 2018
Page last reviewed: April 06, 2018
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ)