Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
products, by sexual intercourse with an infected partner and from an infected mother to her
baby during childbirth and breastfeeding. It can be spread through 'blood to blood' contact,
such as with contaminated instruments during medical, dental, acupuncture and other body-
piercing procedures, and through sharing used intravenous needles. At present there is no
cure; medication that might keep the disease under control is available, but these drugs are
too expensive, or unavailable, for the overwhelming majority of Tanzanians. If you think
you might have been infected with HIV, a blood test is necessary; a three-month gap after
exposure and before testing is required to allow antibodies to appear in the blood. Self-
treatment: none.
MALARIA
Malaria is endemic throughout most of Tanzania and is a major health scourge (except at
altitudes higher than 2000m, where the risk of transmission is low). Infection rates are high-
er during the rainy season, but the risk exists year-round and it is extremely important to
take preventive measures, even if you will be in the country for just a short time.
Malaria is caused by a parasite in the bloodstream spread via the bite of the female an-
opheles mosquito. There are several types, falciparum malaria being the most dangerous
and the predominant form in Tanzania. Unlike most other diseases regularly encountered
by travellers, there is no vaccination against malaria (yet). However, several different drugs
are used to prevent malaria and new ones are in the pipeline. Up-to-date advice from a
travel-health clinic is essential, as some medication is more suitable for some travellers
than others (
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)
. The pattern of drug-resistant malaria is changing rapidly, so what
was advised several years ago might no longer be the case.
ANTIMALARIAL A TO D
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A
- Awareness of the risk. No medication is totally effective, but protection of
up to 95% is achievable with most drugs, as long as other measures have been
taken.
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B
- Bites: avoid at all costs. Sleep in a screened room, use a mosquito spray or
coils and sleep under a permethrin-impregnated net at night. Cover up at night
with long trousers and long sleeves, preferably with permethrin-treated clothing.
Apply appropriate repellent to all areas of exposed skin in the evenings.
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C
- Chemical prevention (ie antimalarial drugs) is usually needed in malarial
areas. Expert advice is needed as resistance patterns can change and new drugs
are in development. Not all antimalarial drugs are suitable for everyone. Most
antimalarial drugs need to be started at least a week in advance and continued for
four weeks after the last possible exposure to malaria.
