Outdoors Information

Malaria Prevention - Five Ways to Avoid Catching It on Safari


Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa where safari trips are still possible which means you will need to take malaria prevention precautions to protect yourself against catching the disease when you travel there.

There are five things you can do to avoid catching malaria on a safari holiday.

1. Malaria Tablets

It's important to consult your GP when deciding on the brand of malaria tablets for your trip because they affect everyone differently and your medical history might play a role in the choice.

There are three types of tablets that are still considered to provide adequate malaria prevention (up to 98%) even though there is no drug that is 100% effective and some of them may have mild side effects - Malarone, Larium and Doxycycline.

Paludrine and Chloroquine are less than 60% effective because the disease has built up a resistance to these drugs over the years.

2. Safari Clothing

Mosquito's become much more active at dusk and during the night and early morning so you need to make sure that you cover up any exposed skin with the right clothing when you are outside.

It is often still very warm during the evenings but resist the temptation to stay in t-shirt and short trousers and rather cover up with long trousers, a long sleeve shirt and socks to protect your ankles against bites. They can't bite you through material.

Remember that malaria prevention is much better than cure.

3. Mosquito repellent

make sure that you apply mosquito repellent to any areas that your clothing doesn't cover particularly your hands and your neck.

Repellents that contain DEET are very good for keeping the mosquito's away but remember to re-apply periodically because the effect diminishes over time.

4. Mosquito Nets

Most safari companies do have mosquito nets installed in the accommodation they provide for their guests so make sure you check with them first if you are planning on buying one for your trip.

But not all accommodation in Africa has them and if you are going to be spending time before or after your safari it might be a good idea to have one handy.

Make sure that you purchase Permethrin treated nets as that stop the mosquitoes from biting through the material, protects against damaged or poorly erected netting and decreases the amount of insects in the room.

5. Malaria Free Safaris

The most effective way to avoid catching malaria is of course to stay away from the areas in which it occurs and there are some safari areas in South Africa which are malaria free and still provide an authentic safari experience with the big five animals available for viewing.

Madikwe, Shamwari, Pilansberg and Addo Elephant Park are examples of some fantastic game reserves that are completely malaria free making all the other malaria prevention measures unnecessary.

These are the malaria tablets including their dosage and side effects that are available to prevent malaria on a safari trip.

Mosquito netting tips and advice to make sure you choose the most effective one to protect you from malaria in Africa.


MORE RESOURCES:

Outdoors with Braz: Helpful Hints For The First Deer Season
thejournal-news.net, IL - 1 hour ago
My adrenaline is picking up a little probably because I’ve been glued to deer hunting on the outdoor channel for the last couple weeks. ...


Outdoors calendar
HeraldNet, WA - 13 hours ago
To submit an item for the Outdoors calendar, e-mail features@heraldnet.com or send it to ["]Outdoors Calendar," The Herald, PO Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.


OUTDOORS: Deer hunters on the right track
Kennebec Journal, ME - 16 hours ago
By TRAVIS BARRETT, Staff Writer 11/22/2008 THE PERFECT STORM: Tracking deer takes the “perfect storm” of factors. Temperatures drop, snow begins to fall and ...


OUTDOORS: Searching for big trees
Kennebec Journal, ME - 16 hours ago
AUGUSTA -- More than any other state in the country, Maine is blessed with trees -- and the Maine Forest Service is looking for the largest specimens. ...


Outdoors Report: Nov. 22
Houston Chronicle, United States - 15 hours ago
By BINK GRIMES and WILKINS WEATHER For the Chronicle Guide Mike Segall of Reel Threel Charters reported good catches of redfish, croakers and sand trout on ...


Outdoors calendar
The State Journal-Register, IL - 15 hours ago
By Staff Report * The Sangamon Valley Sierra Club will host a program on preserving scenic and historic portions of the Horse Creek and Brush Creek ...


Educators, industry, DNR: get kids outdoors this winter
DL-Online, MN - 11 hours ago
How do you get kids involved in ice fishing? Teachers from the Battle Lake and Nevis school districts and members of Ice Team, LLC, set out to answer that ...


Couple takes traditional word game outdoors
The News-Press, FL - 15 hours ago
By Mary Beth Breckenridge • McClatchy News Service • November 22, 2008 LAKE TOWNSHIP, Ohio — For Jane and Keith Crane, Scrabble is an outdoor sport. ...


Enjoy warmth, comfort outdoors with ... Fire pit
Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS - Nov 20, 2008
While the couple generally uses the chimenea - a gourd-shaped outdoor fireplace with a chimney-like smoke vent - after the kids go to bed, they also have a ...


Love the outdoors? ‘Big Dogs’ adoption event has you in mind
San Antonio Express, TX - 22 hours ago
The adopt-a-thon will include breeds known for their love of outdoor activities, including retrievers, shepherds and cattle dogs. ...

Outdoors - Google News

home | site map
© 2006