Long before COVID there were other infectious disease concerns for a trip to South Africa.

Hepatitis A - this is a viral illness which is very common in underdeveloped countries - you get this from eating food that has been touched by someone with the virus on their hands. Most people in these areas get Hep A as infants and are immune for life. It causes minor illness - with a little diarrhea - in infants. Mom takes care of her sick child, then goes to work in the cafe or the restaurant at the lodge, and handles food. This is a two-shot series - you should at least get the first shot. Your family doc might have this, or your local pharmacy may carry it. You may have had the Hep B vaccine, but more than likely you have not had Hep A. You do not need Hep B unless you are planning on swapping body fluids with folks in South Africa. (You can also get Hep B from getting a tattoo. You have to go out of your way to get Hep B, but anyone who eats can get Hep A).great advice. I also recommend Hepatits B in case you need emergency blood trandfusion. The a and b can be given as one shot. Covid, lnfluenzae, Tdap. Pneumonia vaccine if over 60 and shingles vaccine for the same group.

Malaria: the areas near the border with Zimbabwe and around Kruger are South Africa's malaria-risk zone, especially during the rainy season. You might want to discuss malaria prophylaxis (medication to prevent malaria) with your physician or a travel clinic. Most travel physicians will tell you that you should take it. I personally feel that with anyone over 65 we should try to limit the number of different drugs you take, not increase it.... However - malaria in this area is the more dangerous falciparum type. It can be fatal. One of the problems you will face is that the mosquitoes that carry malaria bite at night. If you are in a well-screened room or air-conditioned room you will not have a problem there (kill any mosquitoes you find in the room before going to bed) but when you go out on night-time game drives or are sitting at a nice outdoor area for dinner you are at risk.

So - AVOID mosquito bites as if your life depends on it:
Before you go: treat your clothes with permethrin. This is an insect repellent that is used on clothes (not skin). You can get it at Bass Pro Shops or Amazon. One spray can treats two sets of clothes - socks, pants, shirt. I lay my safari clothes out on a sheet, spray them until damp, turn them over, and get the other side. There is only a faint odor while damp, and the permethrin will last through 4 or 5 washes. For exposed skin, I really like the DEET wipes (Deep Woods Off, etc.). They are not greasy and you don't have to worry about over-spray. AND - you can keep some on you and only use them if you are aware of mosquitoes around. I have been on trips where I encountered zero mosquitoes, and others where I was swarmed. SO - the most important thing is to plan ahead to avoid getting bit.

Long before COVID there were other infectious disease concerns for a trip to South Africa.

Hepatitis A - this is a viral illness which is very common in underdeveloped countries - you get this from eating food that has been touched by someone with the virus on their hands. Most people in these areas get Hep A as infants and are immune for life. It causes minor illness - with a little diarrhea - in infants. Mom takes care of her sick child, then goes to work in the cafe or the restaurant at the lodge, and handles food. This is a two-shot series - you should at least get the first shot. Your family doc might have this, or your local pharmacy may carry it. You may have had the Hep B vaccine, but more than likely you have not had Hep A. You do not need Hep B unless you are planning on swapping body fluids with folks in South Africa. (You can also get Hep B from getting a tattoo. You have to go out of your way to get Hep B, but anyone who eats can get Hep A).

Malaria: the areas near the border with Zimbabwe and around Kruger are South Africa's malaria-risk zone, especially during the rainy season. You might want to discuss malaria prophylaxis (medication to prevent malaria) with your physician or a travel clinic. Most travel physicians will tell you that you should take it. I personally feel that with anyone over 65 we should try to limit the number of different drugs you take, not increase it.... However - malaria in this area is the more dangerous falciparum type. It can be fatal. One of the problems you will face is that the mosquitoes that carry malaria bite at night. If you are in a well-screened room or air-conditioned room you will not have a problem there (kill any mosquitoes you find in the room before going to bed) but when you go out on night-time game drives or are sitting at a nice outdoor area for dinner you are at risk.

So - AVOID mosquito bites as if your life depends on it:
Before you go: treat your clothes with permethrin. This is an insect repellent that is used on clothes (not skin). You can get it at Bass Pro Shops or Amazon. One spray can treats two sets of clothes - socks, pants, shirt. I lay my safari clothes out on a sheet, spray them until damp, turn them over, and get the other side. There is only a faint odor while damp, and the permethrin will last through 4 or 5 washes. For exposed skin, I really like the DEET wipes (Deep Woods Off, etc.). They are not greasy and you don't have to worry about over-spray. AND - you can keep some on you and only use them if you are aware of mosquitoes around. I have been on trips where I encountered zero mosquitoes, and others where I was swarmed. SO - the most important thing is to plan ahead to avoid getting bit.