Malaria outbreak: Limpopo issues travel warning

A malaria outbreak in Limpopo has led to the issuing of a travel warning and the dispatch of health teams to the province, reports the SABC.

By Rod Baker

13 Jan 2014

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Malaria parasites infect and destroy red blood cells when they enter the blood stream. Symptoms include fever and flu-like symptoms, such as chills, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Severe malaria (only caused by P. falciparum)

Infection with P. falciparum, if not promptly treated, can quickly progress to severe malaria. The main symptoms of severe malaria include: coma, severe breathing difficulties, low blood sugar, and low blood haemoglobin (severe anaemia). As they have little or no immunity to the parasite, children are particularly at risk. If untreated, severe malaria can lead to death.

Cerebral malaria (only caused by P. falciparum)

Malaria is classified as cerebral when it manifests with cerebral symptoms, such as coma.

The most hospitals which have recorded the highest numbers of malaria patients are Donald Frazer, Nkhensani, Malamulele, Musina and Maphutha Malatjie.

About Rod Baker

Rod Baker is Content Director at Bizcommunity.com. A journalist since before computers, he worked on a wide range of magazines and, in his youth, rose through the ranks from being a lowly and abused sub-editor, to a high and still abused editor and publisher. He has been editor and publisher of a number of magazines, as well as a newspaper. He has edited many books, and written a number too. Email him at moc.ytinummoczib@dor.