Anti malaria tablets or not?

[Canella]

Dd is flying in the Easter holidays to S Africa with her grandparents. They'll spend 2 nights in the Kruger National Park which flags up as a malaria area but the rest of the time wont be in a malaria area.

So should she take the tablets or not? She's only 10 & absolutely rubbish at taking tablets but if it was necessary I would make her take them. But would it be enough for her to spray herself with anti insect spray and sleep under a net?

This is some information re malaria and SA:-
Malaria risk is due predominantly to malignant (P.falciparum) throughout the year, but highest from October to May inclusive. Risk is present in low altitude areas of Mpumalanga Province (inclduing Kruger National Park), Northern Province north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal as far south as the Tugela River.

Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.

Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually recommended for those visiting risk areas.

If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.

If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.

Thanks for that info - I had read something similar. But what I'm asking is - would it be ok for her to take the other precautions for the 2 nights rather than having to take the tablets for the whole trip. We've got a prescription for Malarone which is supposed to have less side effects but she'd still have to take them for the whole trip.

I would seek medical advice first and foremost, an issue with malaria as well is that it only takes one bite from an infected mossie to contract malaria.

Do they really need to stay in this National Park?. Can it possibly be avoided?.

Does malarone have to be taken prior to travel as well as well as post holiday?.

It only takes one bite to infect you, and malaria can kill.

I'd say you need to take full bite avoidance precautions, and take prophylaxis (including for the required period before and after you leave the risk area).

What EdithWeston said - you cannot take the risk

It's really important to take the tablets for a period BEFORE and AFTER the actual trip, as prescribed. Taking the tablets just for period in the park will not be effective and as good as useless

Malarone needs to be taken 1 day before entering a malarial area and for a week after leaving. I took it when we were in Tanzania and had no side effects.

Does it have to be Kruger, yes it is very established however there are Big 5 Game parks in both the Western and Eastern Cape which are Malarial Free, maybe worth a look?

Thanks for all the posts. I know she would need to take the full course of treatment - what I meant was that she would plan when to take the course of tablets around her 2 nights there rather than around the whole 2 week holiday. The whole trip is already planned - my IL's are regular travellers to the area and used to live there but this is the last time they're going to go so are taking dd along & want to show her what they think are the best bits.
There are 5 people in total on the trip and dd will be the only one taking antimalarial tablets but i know its the right decision.
Thanks again

having seen a friend unwell with malarial infection affecting the brain on ITU, I would say it is worth the hassle.

oops, sorry, just saw your last post saying she'll be taking them! have a wonderful trip.

I'm not going - she's going all that way without us but with my IL's - can you sense that i'm getting worried already!! Will be glad when she's back!