SOUTH AFRICA

ZULU VILLAGE, South Africa --- On a sliding scale, the accommodations were likely five-star. After all, this wasn't bustling Cape Town with its burgeoning nightlife of bars and restaurants, luxury waterfront hotels and resorts. No, this was the middle of the wilderness, one of those places that is between here and there.
The thatched roof didn't leak, the single mattress was several inches above the dirt floor, there was a curtain instead of a front door (no one has heard of room keys in the jungle) and though the coal-oil lamp was a little flickery for reading, it did provide enough light for walking (cautiously) to the outdoor facilities in the middle of the night.
This is yet another side of South Africa - not that many miles away from urban amenities yet centuries removed from our normal realm of North America reference.
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Travellers Health Precautions

Although South Africa is relatively tropical disease fee some precautions are necessary.

1: Sex and blood related illnesses -- HIV / AIDS, Hepatitis B (also transmited by blood and sex), Herpes and many other STD's exist in epidemic proportions throughout South Africa and the Southern African countries -- some areas have HIV infection rates as high as 60% to 90% -- failing to condomise equivalent to suicide; or playing Russian Roulette with 4 out of 6 chambers having live rounds!

2: Malaria risk is predominantly in the malignant falciparum form -- it exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of the Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and north-eastern KwaZulu Natal as far south as the Tugela River in some years. The highest risk is from October to May.

High Risk Areas -- Malaria
Eastern areas bordering Mozambique (mainly Kruger Park) stretching to Messina on Zimbabwean border. Northern portion of KwaZulu Natal bordering Mozambique (mainly Ndumo and Tembe Elephant Park)

Intermediate Risk Area -- Malaria
Eastern area of Swaziland bordering Mozambique. Eastern areas of north Zululand form St Lucia Lake northwards including Hluhluwe and Mkuze.

Low Risk Area -- Malaria
KwaZulu Natal northern area from Tugela northwards to Swaziland excluding higher lying areas. Area bordering Kruger Park into northern portion of Limpopo province bordering Zimbabwe

Travellers to South Africa are advised to consult their medical practitioner or chemist for anti-malarial drugs; specially when travelling between October to May. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. It is strongly recommended that visitors to these areas take anti-malaria tablets before entering these areas (tablets are available from pharmacies without prescription). The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil or chloroquine plus pyrimethamine.

3: Tap water is safe to drink in urban areas, but may be contaminated elsewhere and sterilization is advisable. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat when purchased at recognised supermarkets / butcheries.

4. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

5. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the north and east of South Africa and may be present elsewhere. Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant pools of water. Swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe.

6. Hepatitis A occurs and hepatitis B is hyper endemic -- over 3 billion individuals are infected worldwide and Southern Africa has more than its fair share.

7: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. African countries formerly classified as endemic zones are considered by the South African authorities to be infected areas. The yellow fever vaccination certificate only becomes valid 10 days after immuniation.

file:///Users/bob/Desktop/SouthAfrica%20-%20Health%20Warnings.pdf