Social Development Portfolio Committee: Programme for the study tour to Brazil

Meeting report

Programme for the study tour to Brazil
The Chairperson requested the Travel Clinic’s representative, Ms Elsa Van der Westhuizen, to address the Committee about the importance of vaccination and the general medical “do’s” and “don’ts” when travelling to Brazil.

Ms Van der Westhuizen informed the Committee that yellow fever could be contracted as a result of mosquito bites in Brazil especially during the day. The symptoms thereof were constant fatigue and lethargy.  She advised Members not to eat fruit with skin intact and not to drink Brazil’s tap water as its quality was very poor for human consumption. She warned that the vaccination would be most effective after ten days as from the day of the injection.

The Chairperson informed the Committee that the Minister of Social Development would not attend the trip as he would be engaged in cabinet lekgotlas during this time. Thereafter, he guided Members through the daily itinerary.

Members did not raise any objections.

Consideration and Adoption of Minutes
The Chairperson tabled two sets of minutes for consideration. These were dated 18 May 2010 and 25 May. Both were adopted without amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.