MALARIA:
Most of the remote destinations in Southern Africa are malaria areas.
Although there are less towns and villages to make it a high-risk
area, I strongly recommend that you take precautions to ensure that
you do not get malaria. 90% of malaria infections occur after dark
when the female anopheles mosquito is active and the two best ways
of preventing malaria are to ensure that mosquitoes do not bite you
and to take prophylactic medication. See your physician before you
travel for the type most suited for you. Please remember the following
tips during and after your safari:
-keep your tent zips and room doors closed in the evening to prevent
unwanted mosquitoes and insects from entering.
- spray the tent/room with the aerosol insecticide supplied, and close
your tent prior to going for dinner;
- put an effective insect repellant on at night;
- wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers at night;
- keep taking your malaria tablets for at least two weeks after arriving
back home (the actual duration depends on each and particular tablet
type).
- if within a few weeks of your return you feel nauseous, weak especially
in the joints, headaches on and off and fever please advise you doctor
that you have traveled through a malaria area, as these are the likely
signs and symptoms.
Please carry extras of any medication you may be taking at your time
of travel and make sure you take this as carry on when flying on
scheduled flights. Even though most areas that one wil travel through
have well stocked First Aid kits I recommend you travel with a small
medical kit with you on safari and the following is a guideline:
- Insect repellent - spray or roll on
- Imodium or something for upset tummies.
- Valoid for nausea and vomiting.
- Aspirin, Paracetamol Codeine and an Anti-inflammatory.
- Sun screen lotion or roll-on
- A good pair of sunglasses and a spare pair of prescription glasses.
- More contact lenses than you require for the duration and just
in case of a reaction to dust a pair of prescription glasses.
- Any current contraceptives
- One course of general antibiotics
- Antiseptic cream
- Antihistamine cream
- Plaster bandages
- Band Aid strips
