Health A - Z
Aids
Practice safe sex, just like you would do in your own country.South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world but youwill not be at risk unless they have unprotected sex or share needles/
injections.
Allergies
If you have allergies, or are allergic to certain medicines, foods or insects bites, you should think about wearing a “medical alert” bracelet. This will also help for people with special medical problems. Ask your doctor at home to give you a letter that will explain the treatment you should get if you become ill. Always keep this letter with you while you travel.
Animal bites and scratches
Stay away from stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with a salt solution or an antiseptic and water. Contact local health authorities immediately.
Bilharzia
You can get Bilharzia in the north and east of South Africa and sometimes in other places as well. Do not swim or paddle in still water like dams. Swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe. For more information on Bilharzia, read the Bilharzia Fact Sheet.
C
Cholera
Cholera broke out in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa in November 2008. At the time there was a major Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. People who came back from visiting Zimbabwe brought the disease to South Africa. A few cases also occurred in other provinces in South Africa. From March 2009, the number of cases in South Africa has gone down fast.
The main symptoms of cholera are watery diarrhoea and vomiting. In very bad cases it may lead to dehydration and death.
People mostly get Cholera from contaminated drinking water. It happens where there is poverty, overcrowding, and poor sanitation. You should be careful what you eat and drink if you visit rural areas in Limpopo or Mpumalanga. If you are a visitor, you have a very small chance of getting Cholera. It is not necessary to take the vaccine. You do not need a Cholera vaccination to get into South Africa. For more information on Cholera, read the Cholera Fact Sheet.
Chronic Medication
If you have a chronic disease (e.g. hypertension or diabetes) you should speak to your doctor before you come to South Africa. The medicine you use may not be available in South Africa. Bring enough of all your medicine in their containers, clearly labelled. Also ask your doctor for a signed letter with the date that explains your diseases with a list of all your medicine, including generic names.
If you
bring syringes or needles, you must have a doctor’s letter that explains why you need them. Pack your medicine in your hand luggage with some extra in your checked luggage. Find out about security guidelines if you will fly with liquid medicine.
Contact your travel clinic for advice on how to transport personal medicine. If you have allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet. South Africa strictly regulates the sale of medicines. It may not be possible to buy many medicines, including antibiotics over the counter.
Cigarettes
South Africa has strict tobacco control regulations in place. It is illegal to smoke in any indoor, enclosed or partially closed area open to the public. This includes public transport. Should you wish to smoke, it is best to keep to designated smoking areas.
Dehydration
South Africa has a very sunny and hot climate. Always drink enough water; more than usual if you spend hours in the sun, drink alcohol or tea and coffee. A headache is often a first warning that you are
dehydrated.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is the most common disease people get when they travel. Most cases are mild and you will not need antibiotics or antidiarrhoeal drugs. Drink enough fluids. You should visit a doctor or clinic if:
- your diarrhoea is very bad or bloody
- you have a fever with shaking chills
- your stomach pain becomes really bad
- the diarrhoea lasts longer than 72 hours.
Disabilities
South Africa is very proud of our facilities for people with disabilities, but not all places will have complete access. Call your accommodation and places you would like to visit to make sure that they will suit your needs.
Drugs
As in most other countries across the world, the use and trade in illegal substances is against the law in South Africa and could lead to a jail sentence. For your own safety, please do not experiment with any of these substances.
Eyeglasses
There is good access in all the major centres to health care and pharmacies so it is not essential to carry a medical kit other than for minor ailments. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair.
First Aid Kit
There is good access in all the major centres to health care and pharmacies so it is not necessary to carry a medical kit other than for minor ailments. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you take oral contraception you should have enough supplies to last your trip.
Food Safety
The food industry in South Africa is well developed and sophisticated. Provincial and municipal health authorities employ Environmental Health Practitioners within the areas where the World Cup will take place. The practitioners will do inspections and sample food to make sure it is safe.
Just like in the rest of the world, we do get cases of food poisoning from time to time. However, no serious incidents of food poisoning were reported recently.
Foods sold by formal outlets such as supermarkets, restaurants, fast food outlets, etc. is generally of high quality and safe. You should however be careful when buying foods, especially ready to eat prepared meals and other dishes, from informal outlets such as street food vendors. The general rule that applies is: peal it…., cook it…., cool it…., or, leave it!
For more information on food safety, read the Food Safety Fact Sheet.
Flu
South Africa has its flu season during the winter months (May - August). This is also the time that the FIFA and Confederation Cups will take place. You may think about taking a vaccine, especially if you have a chronic disease that can be dangerous if you get the flu. It would be best to take the vaccine for the 2009 southern hemisphere season. If you come from the northern hemisphere, the northern hemisphere vaccine should offer some protection.
Health Insurance
Before you travel to South Africa you should get comprehensive medical insurance and tell them about any diseases you may have. Make sure that your insurance will cover your medical expenses abroad. If not, you must seriously think about extra insurance that will also cover possible evacuation. If you fall ill while you are overseas your medical costs and evacuation may be very expensive. It is important to check the claims policy for your insurance. Most health facilities in South Africa will ask for immediate cash or credit card payment.
HIV
Practice safe sex, just like you would do in your own country. South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world but you will not be at risk unless they have unprotected sex or share needles/
injections.
Hepatitis A
You can get Hepatitis A through contaminated food and water. You are at a higher risk if you are exposed to conditions of poor sanitation. The risk of infection varies within the country. Be careful with food, water and personal hygiene. There is a Hepatitis A vaccine for people that are older than one year. You should get it at least two weeks (preferably four weeks) before you leave. For more information on Hepatitis, read the Hepatitis Fact Sheet.
Hepatitis B
You can get Hepatitis B through infected blood or bodily fluids. You may be exposed when you:
- receive medical or dental treatment
- have direct contact with open skin lesions
- participate in risky behaviour such as needle sharing, unprotected sex or contact sports.
You should think about taking the Hepatitis B vaccine if you have not been vaccinated before, especially if you may be exposed to blood or bodily fluids or may have sex. For more information on hepatitis, read the Hepatitis Fact Sheet.
Immunisation
Check that all your routine vaccinations are up-to-date.
You cannot get yellow fewer in South Africa. If you come from a country where you can get yellow fever, the International Health Regulations says that you must have proof that you had a valid yellow fever vaccination before you can enter South Africa. This is only for people older than one year. You must get the vaccination four to six weeks before you travel to South Africa. A yellow fever vaccination certificate only becomes valid after ten days. It stays valid for 10 years. Please note: If you do not have a valid yellow fever certificate, you may be denied entry into South Africa. For ease of reference, the Yellow Fever Risk Areas are:
|
Africa |
South America |
||
|
Angola |
Gambia |
Sao Tome & Principe |
Bolivia |
For more information on Yellow Fever, read the Yellow Fever Fact Sheet.
Influenza
South Africa has its influenza season during the winter months (May - August). This is also the time that the FIFA and Confederation Cups will take place. You may think about taking a vaccine, specially if you have a chronic disease that can be dangerous if you get influenza. It would be best to take the vaccine for the 2009 southern hemisphere season. If you come from the northern hemisphere, the northern hemisphere vaccine should offer some protection.
Insurance
Before you travel to South Africa you should get comprehensive medical insurance and tell them about any diseases you may have. Make sure that your insurance will cover your medical expenses abroad. If not, you must seriously think about extra insurance that will also cover possible evacuation. If you fall ill while you are overseas your medical costs and evacuation may be very expensive. It is important to check the claims policy for your insurance. Most health facilities in South Africa will ask for immediate cash or credit card payment.
Illegal Drugs
As in most other countries across the world, the use and trade in illegal substances is against the law in South Africa and could lead to a jail sentence. For your own safety, please do not experiment with any of these substances.
Injuries
Car crashes are a leading cause of injury among travellers. Protect yourself by:
- Following local traffic laws (remember that motorists drive on the left side of the road in South Africa).
- Not drinking and driving.
- Wearing your seat belt.
- Wearing helmets when you ride bikes, motorcycles, and motor bikes.
None of the matches during the Confederations or 2010 World Cup will take place in high risk malaria areas. The matches will take place is during the low risk season. You can get malaria any time of the year, but in South Africa the high risk season is from September to May. South Africa has a very good malaria control programme.
You can get malaria from the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes are only active from dusk to dawn. You are only at risk if you stay overnight in areas where you can get malaria. There is a risk of malaria in the Kruger National Park particularly during the period September to May, as well as in some areas in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and northern Kwazulu-Natal. There is no risk of malaria in the major cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Rustenberg, Nelspruit or Polokwane. In South Africa the drugs you should take to prevent malaria include atovaquone/proguanil (Malanil or Malarone), doxycycline, or mefloquine (Larium/Mefliam). Antimalarial drugs are only available per prescription. Note: Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in South Africa and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.
Ask our doctor or a specialist travel clinic for the latest advice about malaria. Also ask them about the side-effects of the different antimalarial drugs. Whether you take malaria medicines or not, always protect yourself from mosquito bites with insect repellents or other measures. You should not visit a malaria risk area if you are pregnant. For more information on Malaria, read the Malaria Fact Sheet.
Medicine
If you have a chronic disease (e.g. hypertension or diabetes) you should speak to your doctor before you come to South Africa. The medicine you use may not be available in South Africa. Bring enough of all your medicine in their containers, clearly labelled. Also ask your doctor for a signed letter with the date that explains your diseases with a list of all your medicine, including generic names.
If you
bring syringes or needles, you must have a doctor’s letter that explains why you need them. Pack your medicine in your hand luggage with some extra in your checked luggage. Find out about security guidelines if you will fly with liquid medicine.
Contact your travel clinic for advice on how to transport personal medicine. If you have allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet. South Africa strictly regulates the sale of medicines. It may not be possible to buy many medicines, including antibiotics over the counter.
Medical Alert Bracelet
If you have allergies, or are allergic to certain medicines, foods or insects bites, you should think about wearing a “medical alert” bracelet. This will also help for people with special medical problems. Ask your doctor at home to give you a letter that will explain the treatment you should get if you become ill. Always keep this letter with you while you travel.
Medical Kit
There is good access in all the major centres to health care and pharmacies so it is not essential to carry a medical kit other than for minor ailments. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you take oral contraception you should have enough supplies to last your trip.
Medical Care
South Africa has organised an emergency response system to help you with any medical problems you may have during the event. There will be fully equipped first-aid stations at match and training venues, fan parks and around the different cities. South Africa has also chosen a number of hospitals to help with special services. We will also monitor restaurants, hotels and informal food vendors to combat food-borne diseases.
The South African health system includes the public sector that would provide emergency care for travellers; and the private sector which operates on a fee-for-service basis and will accept patients covered by medical insurance. Medical facilities in cities and larger towns equal the best in the world and South Africa is a global leader in may medical disciplines. Large networks of hospitals offer excellent service, and pharmacies are well-supplied. However, in rural areas the clinics and hospitals deal with primary health needs, and therefore do not offer the range of medical care that the large metropolitan hospitals do. Doctors are listed under "Medical" in the telephone directory and hospitals under "H". All major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists.
Poisoning
Poisoning is a serious health problem across the world. Many people die because of accidental poisoning.
South Africa has poison information centres around the country. Health care facilities can also contact poison information centres though a 24-hour line with expert advice on poisoning.
Recently South Africa has been experiencing an increase in the trade of pesticides which are repackaged and sold on the streets. This is illegal and you should rather buy pesticide or insecticides that are registered and properly labeled. Contact the nearest health facility if you think you may have been poisoned.
Prescription medicines
If you have a chronic disease (e.g. hypertension or diabetes) you should speak to your doctor before you come to South Africa. The medicine you use may not be available in South Africa. Bring enough of all your medicine in their containers, clearly labelled. Also ask your doctor for a signed letter with the date that explains your diseases with a list of all your medicine, including generic names.
If you
bring syringes or needles, you must have a doctor’s letter that explains why you need them. Pack your medicine in your hand luggage with some extra in your checked luggage. Find out about security guidelines if you will fly with liquid medicine.
Contact your travel clinic for advice on how to transport personal medicine. If you have allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet. South Africa strictly regulates the sale of medicines. It may not be possible to buy many medicines, including antibiotics over the counter.
Rabies
Humans in South Africa usually get rabies from infected dogs. If you plan to spend time in rural areas, you should think about getting the rabies vaccine before you travel to South Africa. If a dog bites you, you should seek medical advice immediately. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with a salt solution or an antiseptic and water. Contact a medical facility immediately, even if you were vaccinated against rabies. For more information on Rabies, read the Rabies Fact Sheet.
Smoking
South Africa has strict tobacco control regulations in place. It is illegal to smoke in any indoor, enclosed or partially closed area open to the public. This includes public transport. Should you wish to smoke, it is best to keep to designated smoking areas.
Sun Protection
South Africa has one of the world’s highest daily sunshine rates and a high ultraviolet level. Use a sunscreen lotion with a protection factor of at least 15. Also wear a hat and a good pair of sunglasses, especially between 10:00 and 16:00 during the day.
Swine Flu
The South African Department of Health released and activated its National Influenza preparedness plan in 2007. In it we detailed the structures, processes and activities that will be activated in the event of an outbreak. The plan also outlines the roles and responsibilities of a number of stakeholders.
The plan is operational in all provinces. This means that all provinces have functional provincial and district outbreak response teams. Their roles include monitoring communicable diseases within provinces, investigating suspected cases and responding to each case.
To deal with Swine Flu specifically, the National Department of Health and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa prepared guidelines for case identification, collection of specimen and handling and management of cases. This information has been sent to provincial communicable disease co-ordinators, a network of clinicians in the private sector as well as through professional associations such as the South African Medical Association. We need to ensure that all medical professionals can recognise the symptoms of swine influenza, know what specimen to take and how to handle it and finally how to manage patients clinically.
In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) South Africa is not proposing any travel restrictions.
Tobacco
South Africa has strict tobacco control regulations in place. It is illegal to smoke in any indoor, enclosed or partially closed area open to the public. This includes public transport. Should you wish to smoke, it is best to keep to designated smoking areas.
Travel Clinics
You can find a list of travel clinics in South Africa at http://www.sastm.org.za
Travel Health Insurance
Before you travel to South Africa you should get comprehensive medical insurance and tell them about any diseases you may have. Make sure that your insurance will cover your medical expenses abroad. If not, you must seriously think about extra insurance that will also cover possible evacuation. If you fall ill while you are overseas your medical costs and evacuation may be very expensive. It is important to check the claims policy for your insurance. Most health facilities in South Africa will ask for immediate cash or credit card payment.
Tuberculosis (TB)
South Africa has one of the highest TB rates in the world. TB is a contagious illness that is spread when infected people cough or sneeze and spread tiny droplets into the air which are then inhaled by uninfected people. It is spread through close contact with an infected person, so travellers who are likely to only have casual contacts are not at risk. For more information on TB, read the TB Fact Sheet.
Vaccinations
Check that all your routine vaccinations are up-to-date.
You cannot get yellow fewer in South Africa. If you come from a country where you can get yellow fever, the International Health Regulations says that you must have proof that you had a valid yellow fever vaccination before you can enter South Africa. This is only for people older than one year. You must get the vaccination four to six weeks before you travel to South Africa. A yellow fever vaccination certificate only becomes valid after ten days. It stays valid for 10 years. Please note: If you do not have a valid yellow fever certificate, you may be denied entry into South Africa. For ease of reference, the Yellow Fever Risk Areas are:
|
Africa |
South America |
||
|
Angola |
Gambia |
Sao Tome & Principe |
Bolivia |
For more information on Yellow Fever, read the Yellow Fever Fact Sheet.
Water
High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere in South Africa. The water is treated and free of harmful micro-organisms. It is safe to drink water straight from the tap, except in informal or rural settlements. It is not safe to drink water straight from rivers and streams especially downstream of human settlements. In some areas, tap water is mildly discoloured due to the mineral content, this is not necessarily an indication that the water is polluted.
You can also buy bottled water in South Africa. Check the labelling for ingredients.
Yellow Fever
You cannot get yellow fewer in South Africa. If you come from a country where you can get yellow fever, the International Health Regulations says that you must have proof that you had a valid yellow fever vaccination before you can enter South Africa. This is only for people older than one year. You must get the vaccination four to six weeks before you travel to South Africa. A yellow fever vaccination certificate only becomes valid after ten days. It stays valid for 10 years. Please note: If you do not have a valid yellow fever certificate, you may be denied entry into South Africa. For ease of reference, the Yellow Fever Risk Areas are:
|
Africa |
South America |
||
|
Angola |
Gambia |
Sao Tome & Principe |
Bolivia |
For more information on Yellow Fever, read the Yellow Fever Fact Sheet.







