Officials say though it’s already winter and the park declared a low risk area, visitors should however be aware.
The South African National Parks has warned visitors coming to the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga to take extra care against Malaria when coming to the park.
SANPaks officials say Kruger National Parks is experiencing cases of Malaria as a result of the heavy rain received this year which has caused pools of water in abundance, especially in the northern part of the Park.
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“Malaria seems to be on the brink of an outbreak lately despite the fact that we almost in winter,” SANParks spokesman William Mabasa said.
“Now with some of the country’s provinces reporting hundreds of people who have been admitted and tested positive for the disease in hospitals, we would like to advise visitors to take the necessary precautions which include the use of prophylaxes and vaccinations in consultation with their doctors to prevent the possibility of contracting Malaria as Kruger National Park is known to be one of the Malaria endemic areas in this country,” said Mabasa.
He said they were hoping now as it is winter the mosquitoes will disappear and reduce the risks.
This comes in light of close to 600 cases of Malaria reported by the Mpumalanga health department between March and April 2017 and which the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said was caused by the increased rainfalls and temperatures, especially in the country’s north.
Two people have since died, apparently of Malaria.
(edited by ZK)
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