Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
-likeanyfilter-arepronetoblockage.Cheaperandmoreversatileisaplug-inimmersion
heater, so that you can have a nice hot cuppa.
SOME TRAVELLERS' DISEASES
MALARIAANDINSECT-BORNEDISEASES
Tablets do not give complete protection
from malaria (though it will give you time to get treatment if it does break through) and
there are other insect-borne diseases in Madagascar so it is important to protect yourself
from being bitten. The
Anopheles
mosquitoes that spread malaria usually bite in the even-
ing (from about 17.30) and throughout the night, so it is wise to dress in long trousers and
long-sleevedshirts,andtocoverexposedskinwithinsectrepellent.Thesemosquitoesgen-
erallyhuntatanklelevel,andtendtobitethefirstpieceofexposedfleshtheyencounter,so
applying an effective repellent (DEET is best) to feet and ankles is important in reducing
bites. In most countries, malaria transmission is rare in urban environments, but it does
occur around Antananarivo because rice fields are so close to the city. Most hotels have
screened windows or provide mosquito nets. Bring your own freshly impregnated net if
staying in cheap hotels. Burning mosquito coils reduces but does not eliminate the risk of
bites.
Be sure to take your malaria tablets meticulously for the requisite time after you get
home. Even if you have been taking your malaria prophylaxis carefully, there is still a
slight chance of contracting malaria. The symptoms are fevers, chills, joint pain, headache
and sometimes diarrhoea - in other words the symptoms of many illnesses including flu.
Malaria can take as little as seven days to develop. Consult a doctor if you develop a flu-
like illness within a year of leaving a malarial region. The life-threatening cerebral malaria
will become apparent within three months and can kill within 24 hours of the first symp-
toms.
Mosquitoes pass on not only malaria but also Rift Valley fever, elephantiasis, dengue
andother serious viral fevers. Byavoiding mosquito bites youalso avoid illness, aswell as
those itching lumps which so easily become infected. Once you've been bitten, tiger balm
or calamine lotion will help stop the itching.
TRAVELLER'SDIARRHOEA
DiarrhoeaisverycommoninvisitorstoMadagascar,and
you are more likely to suffer from this if you are new to tropical travel. The new oral
Dukoral cholera vaccine may give partial protection against traveller's diarrhoea. Tour-
ists tend to be obsessed with water sterilisation but, contrary to popular belief, traveller's
diarrhoea usually comes from contaminated food not water. Ice cream, sadly, is risky, es-
