World Country Guide

1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. African countries and the Americas 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 immunisation.

2
Visitors may wish to consider precautions against Cholera, depending on the area in South Africa being visited: a recent outbreak in February 2004 occurred in the Nkomazi area, Mpumalanga Province, which borders Mozambique.

3
Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

4
Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga Province (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern KwaZulu/Natal as far south as the Tugela River. The risk is highest from October to May. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. It is strongly recommended that visitors to these areas take anti-malaria tablets before entering these zones (tablets are available from pharmacies without prescription). The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine (World Health Organization) or chloroquine plus pyrimethamine (South African High Commission).

Food & drink
Mains water is considered safe to drink in urban areas but may be contaminated elsewhere and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the north and east and may be present elsewhere. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A occurs and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Dengue fever and filariasis are present.
Rabies may be present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care
Medical facilities are excellent. Health insurance is recommended. A leaflet on health precautions is available from the South African High Commission (see Contact Addresses section).