Festive-season malaria warning: What SA travellers need to know

A new malaria travel warning has been issued for Gauteng residents ahead of the festive season, after the province recorded a sharp rise in cases and deaths.

Malaria deaths in Gauteng have nearly tripled compared with the same period last year.

Most of the people who died had recently travelled outside the country.

The Gauteng Department of Health issued the warning on Thursday, 12 November.

It is urging anyone travelling to areas where malaria is common to take precautions before, during and after their trip.

Gauteng malaria cases by the numbers

Between January and September 2026, Gauteng recorded:

• 768 malaria cases, up 38.6% from 554 in the same period of 2025
• 17 deaths, up from six in the same period last year

That means the province has already passed its total for the whole of 2025, when it recorded 666 cases and seven deaths.

Of the 17 people who died this year, 15 had recently travelled to countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). 

Mozambique accounted for about 59% of the deaths, according to the department’s statement.

Why the malaria travel warning matters now

Gauteng is not a malaria area itself, so most cases are picked up elsewhere.

But the festive season sends thousands of Gauteng residents to popular destinations where malaria is common, including Mozambique.

Within South Africa, malaria mainly occurs in low-lying parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, including the Kruger National Park, and northern KwaZulu-Natal.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), malaria season runs from September to May, during the rainy months, which overlap with the festive season.

Symptoms to watch for

The department says malaria is “a serious but preventable and treatable disease”. Common symptoms include:

• fever and chills
• headache and muscle aches
• nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms can look like flu, which is part of the danger.

They usually appear one to two weeks after an infected mosquito bite, but can show up weeks after you get home, so don’t ignore a fever after your trip.

“Anyone who develops these symptoms while travelling to, or after returning from, a malaria endemic area should seek medical attention immediately and inform healthcare workers about their travel history,” the department said.

How to protect yourself before you travel

• Visit a travel clinic before your trip. Gauteng has travel clinics in all five of its health districts. Ask whether you need antimalarial medication for your destination.
• Avoid mosquito bites, especially between dusk and dawn. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and long pants in the evening, and sleep under a mosquito net where possible.
• Tell your doctor where you’ve travelled if you feel ill after your trip, even weeks later.

What the department is doing about Gauteng malaria cases

The department says it investigates every reported case and audits all malaria deaths.

It has also stepped up awareness campaigns at taxi ranks, bus stations and other busy travel points, especially during public holidays and the festive season.