According to a joint press release by the South African Society of Travel Medicine (SASTM), the South African Paediatric Association (SAPA), the Southern African Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SASPID) and the South African Malaria Elimination Committee (SAMEC), South Africa is currently facing a shortage of malaria prophylaxis for toddlers, young children (under 8 years) and pregnant women ahead of the winter holiday exodus to high-risk malaria areas. There is an imminent stockout of Malanil® Paediatric, the only medicine for the prevention of malaria in toddlers, young children and pregnant women in South Africa, as stocks of the only current supplier, AcinoSwiss, will expire by end July 2023.
Mefloquine, the only other medication suitable for babies and pregnant women who must travel to malaria risk areas, is no longer being marketed in South Africa. Doxycycline, which is not suitable for use in toddlers, young children (under 8 years) and in pregnancy, is currently available, but there have also been intermittent shortages of it in the last two years inSouth Africa.
As an interim measure, South Africans (as well as all travellers in South Africa!) are advised not to travel to high-risk malaria areas if travelling with young children, unless travel is unavoidable. If travel cannot be deferred at all, travellers should make strict use of all measures to avoid mosquito bites at all times and seek urgent, expert medical attention for anyone with the symptoms of a flu-like illness, namely fever, headache, cold shivers, nausea and vomiting, muscle and joint pain. These signs and symptoms may be difficult to detect in babies and young children, increasing the risk of a delayed diagnosis and death. [src.: SASTM)
Also read:
Malaria: South African Malaria Risk Map >>
South Africa: Cases of Malaria on the rise! [update] >>
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