Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
viewed as emergency treatment only and not as routine self-medication, and should only be
used if you will be far from medical facilities and have been advised about the symptoms of
malaria and how to use the medication. If you do resort to emergency self-treatment, seek
medical advice as soon as possible to confirm whether the treatment has been successful.
In particular, you want to avoid contracting cerebral malaria, which can be fatal within 24
hours. Self-diagnostic kits, which can identify malaria in the blood from a finger prick, are
available in the West and are worth buying.
MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS
Meningococcal infection is spread through close respiratory contact and is more likely in
crowded places, such as dormitories, buses and clubs. While the disease is present in Tan-
zania, infection is uncommon in travellers. Vaccination is recommended for long stays and
is especially important towards the end of the dry season. Symptoms include a fever, severe
headache, neck stiffness and a red rash. Immediate medical treatment is necessary.
The ACWY vaccine is recommended for all travellers in sub-Saharan Africa. This vac-
cine is different from the meningococcal meningitis C vaccine given to children and ad-
olescents in some countries; it is safe to be given both types of vaccine. Self-treatment:
none.
ONCHOCERCIASIS (RIVER BLINDNESS)
This disease is caused by the larvae of a tiny worm, which is spread by the bite of a small
fly. The earliest sign of infection is intensely itchy, red, sore eyes. It's rare for travellers
to be severely affected. Treatment undertaken in a specialised clinic is curative. Self-treat-
ment: none.
POLIOMYELITIS
This disease is generally spread through contaminated food and water. It is one of the vac-
cines given in childhood and should be boosted every 10 years, either orally (a drop on
the tongue) or else as an injection. Polio can be carried asymptomatically (ie showing no
symptoms) and could cause a transient fever. In rare cases it causes weakness or paralysis
of one or more muscles, which might be permanent. Self-treatment: none.
RABIES
Rabies is spread via the bite or lick of an infected animal on broken skin. It is always fatal
once the clinical symptoms start (which might be up to several months after an infected
bite), so post-bite vaccination should be given as soon as possible. Post-bite vaccination
(whether or not you've been vaccinated before the bite) prevents the virus from spreading
to the central nervous system. Consider vaccination if you'll be travelling away from major
centres (ie anywhere where a reliable source of post-bite vaccine is not available within 24
hours). Three preventive injections are needed over a month. If you have not been vaccin-
