Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development has urged residents of the province to take anti-malarial medication before they visit malaria endemic areas.
"Those who will be travelling to areas such as the Kruger National Park, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya and Somalia are urged to avoid mosquito bites while they are in these countries," said the department in a statement.
It also noted that while 2 278 malaria cases with 29 deaths were reported in the province this year, all the reported deaths were people who had travelled to Malaria endemic areas.
Gauteng is not a Malaria endemic area but because of the travelling during this time, the department urged people to seek medical attention where signs and symptoms of malaria are suspected, especially if the person has travelled to Malaria endemic areas.
Malaria is a disease that is transmitted by the bites of certain types of mosquitoes.
The symptoms include fever, headache, flu-like symptoms, body aches and pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People at risk include immuno-compromised people, children under five years, the elderly and pregnant women.
To prevent malaria, people are urged to avoid travelling to Malaria endemic areas, especially if one is at risk. Take anti-malarial medication before travelling to these areas, and avoid mosquito bites by staying indoors at night, wearing long-sleeve shirts and trousers; use mosquito repellents that can be applied to exposed skin, burn mosquito repellent candles and coils, spray insecticides, and use nets around the bed.
