Is It Safe To Visit South Africa While Expecting A Child?

Pregnant women should avoid traveling to areas with high risks of Zika and malaria, such as South and Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands, Africa, and Asia. Traveling to South Africa while pregnant can be an exciting and memorable experience, but it is important to research your destination, consult your doctor, and understand potential risks.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks should be checked at least 8 weeks before your trip in South Africa. FCDO travel advice for South Africa includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements, and legal differences. Pregnant women may receive exemption letters from their nearest Travel Medical Centres to allow unhindered return to South Africa. Most women can travel safely well into their pregnancy, provided they take precautions, such as having the right vaccinations. The best time to travel is usually within the second trimester of pregnancy, as early nausea has usually settled and most women are still reasonably healthy.

In most cases, you can safely fly without health risks for you and your baby. However, it is advised not to fly if you are 36 weeks or more into your pregnancy and are not pregnant. Normal pregnancy cases are acceptable up to 28 weeks on domestic and international flights without a need for medical care.

While pregnant, travelers can generally travel safely with appropriate preparation, but should avoid certain destinations, including those with risk of Zika and malaria. If travel to these areas cannot be avoided, first-time mothers are more at risk due to their increased risk.

Is South Africa a malaria zone?

Malaria risk is prevalent in South Africa, particularly in low altitude areas of Mpumalanga Province, Limpopo Province, Vhembe and Mopani districts, Musina, Thohoyandou, and surrounding areas. Precautions include covering up with long sleeves and trousers, using insect repellents, and sleeping under a mosquito net. Antimalarial tablets are recommended for high risk areas, while low to no risk areas do not.

If you develop a fever in a malarious area, seek medical attention immediately, as malaria can develop up to one year after exposure. If traveling to remote areas, carry standby emergency treatment for malaria.

Altitude and travel are also significant health risks in South Africa. Travelers should avoid high altitude areas to avoid ill effects, including Acute Mountain Sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, is transmitted through contact with fresh water and can be prevented by avoiding swimming, bathing, or paddling in fresh water lakes and streams.

Is South Africa high risk for malaria?

Malaria risk is prevalent in South Africa, particularly in low altitude areas of Mpumalanga Province, Limpopo Province, Vhembe and Mopani districts, Musina, Thohoyandou, and surrounding areas. Precautions include covering up with long sleeves and trousers, using insect repellents, and sleeping under a mosquito net. Antimalarial tablets are recommended for high risk areas, while low to no risk areas do not.

If you develop a fever in a malarious area, seek medical attention immediately, as malaria can develop up to one year after exposure. If traveling to remote areas, carry standby emergency treatment for malaria.

Altitude and travel are also significant health risks in South Africa. Travelers should avoid high altitude areas to avoid ill effects, including Acute Mountain Sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, is transmitted through contact with fresh water and can be prevented by avoiding swimming, bathing, or paddling in fresh water lakes and streams.

How many weeks pregnant can you fly to South Africa?

Flying during pregnancy is not recommended for individuals 36 weeks or more into their pregnancy, or during the first week after delivery. If carrying multiples or experiencing pregnancy complications, consult a physician. Pregnant women planning trips should obtain medical clearance. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Most cases can be safely flown without health risks for both you and your baby. However, certain situations may warrant not flying.

Is South Africa safe with baby?

South Africa offers a wide variety of safari accommodations, including kids’ clubs, trained nannies, and child-friendly lodges in areas like Greater Kruger, the Eastern Cape, and Madikwe. Many travelers combine safaris with activities in Cape Town, Sun City, and the Garden Route. To maximize their time on safari, many clients choose to go straight from a long-haul flight to their lodge and onto a game drive. A night in a city hotel after an international flight is recommended for a proper night’s sleep before a private transfer the next morning.

Can I go on safari while pregnant?

The second trimester is the best time for safari trips due to the absence of morning sickness, fatigue, and a large belly. Delaying travel may conflict with the nesting instinct. Airlines allow travel until 36 weeks, but require a doctor’s note from 28 weeks onward. Ensure insurance covers preterm birth and medical care. Consult your OBGYN before finalizing plans, as they may prescribe safe preventative medications. Research hospitals near your Tanzanian travel spot and secure comprehensive traveler’s medical insurance, covering childbirth-related concerns.

Can a 7 month pregnant woman fly international?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that a woman’s safest time to travel is during the second trimester of pregnancy, from 14 to 28 weeks, as it is the time when the fetus is at its best and at the lowest risk for spontaneous abortion or premature labor. Healthcare providers and midwives advise staying within a 300-mile radius during the third trimester to avoid potential issues like high blood pressure, phlebitis, and false or preterm labor.

Air travel is generally not allowed after 36 weeks for domestic travel and 28 to 35 weeks for international travel. Pregnant women with certain conditions may be advised against traveling to countries that require pretravel vaccines, and it is important to discuss their health history with their healthcare provider before planning travel.

Can a pregnant woman fly in South Africa?

Pregnant women in South Africa can travel up to 36 weeks for a routine pregnancy within the country and up to 35 weeks for international travel. For travelers with limited mobility, assistance is available, including wheelchairs for check-in and arrivals at the destination. To arrange a wheelchair, contact your nearest SAA office 48 hours before departure. One wheelchair is included in your free baggage allowance, and on flights to and from European Union destinations, one additional mobility device can be carried for free. Wheelchairs and mobility aids with non-spillable wet batteries must not exceed 300wH, and spare batteries must not exceed 300wH or two spares each 160wH.

Can you go to the Kruger Park when pregnant?

Pregnant tourists should not visit Kruger National Park due to potential heat exhaustion symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and extreme tiredness. To prevent this, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of bottled water, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and applying sunscreen. If symptoms persist, move to a cool area, elevate your feet and legs, and drink fluids until your body temperature drops. If the symptoms persist, seek medical treatment. The Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) is a popular attraction in Africa, but it is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Is there zika virus in Cape Town?

The Aedes aegypti mosquito has been present in South Africa for decades without a single Zika virus infection. This suggests that the virus’s epidemiology and likelihood of triggering an outbreak are determined by several factors. Arboviruses typically have an animal that serves as an amplifier host, which is absent in South Africa or the virus has never been introduced to a susceptible host. Most South Africans should relax and carry on as usual, but pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant should reconsider their travel plans if they plan to visit South America in the coming months.

If travel is unavoidable, it is essential to apply mosquito repellent to all exposed parts of the body, use air-conditioning or fans indoors, and wear long-sleeved clothing. The Aedes mosquito prefers to feed on ankles and feet but can also feed on other parts of the body.

Do I need malaria pills for South Africa?

Unvaccinated travelers under 60 years old traveling to South Africa should be vaccinated, while those 60 and older may be vaccinated. The CDC recommends prescription medicine to prevent malaria in certain areas. To stay healthy and safe, it is important to learn about behaviors and avoid diseases spread by bugs. To prevent bug bites, cover exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats, use insect repellent, use permethrin-treated clothing and gear, stay in air-conditioned or screened rooms, and use a bed net if sleeping in exposed areas. Vaccines alone cannot protect against many diseases in South Africa, so it is crucial to learn about and take steps to prevent these risks.

What happens if you get malaria while pregnant?

Malaria, a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, is a devastating infectious disease that kills over 1 million people annually. Pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised individuals face the highest morbidity and mortality rates, with Africa bearing the heaviest burden. Malaria is defined as a disease of poverty caused by poverty. Pregnant women infected with malaria often experience severe symptoms, including miscarriage, intrauterine death, premature delivery, low-birth-weight neonates, and neonatal death.

They are also at a higher risk for severe anemia and maternal death. Malaria can be prevented through appropriate drugs, insecticide-treated bed nets, and effective educational outreach programs. Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest burden of malaria, with over 90 of the world’s malaria-related deaths occurring in this region.