​Qaqambile Mdledle
The Gauteng Department of Health has urged travellers who develop any flu-like symptoms to get tested for both the COVID-19 and malaria.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female mosquitoes.
Malaria symptoms include fever, headache, flu-like symptoms, body aches and pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 
The Department of Health said anyone, who has recently returned from a malaria endemic area, experiencing these symptoms should seek medical help.
"If you have just returned from a malaria endemic area and you start showing any of the above symptoms you are urged to visit your nearest clinic or doctor to get tested and treated for malaria," spokesperson Kwara Kekana said.
Malaria is endemic in 14 of the 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, except for Lesotho and Seychelles.
Government said the warning is timed by the annual malaria season in which Anopheles malaria vector mosquitoes, can be accidentally transported by vehicles from malaria high areas.
This form of the disease is called Odyssean malaria, also known as airport, suitcase, minibus, or taxi-rank malaria.
The Gauteng province sees on average between 2 000 to 3 000 malaria cases every year, whilst the number of malaria-related fatalities averages between 20 and 30 deaths in a year.
Government advises people travelling to a malaria endemic areas to follow protective measures such as the regular use of mosquito repellants, wearing long trousers and long sleeve shirts, being indoors between dusk and dawn, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or a room with a fan and sleeping in insecticide treated nettings.​