Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Leptospirosis
It's spread through the excreta of infected rodents, especially rats. It can cause hepatitis
and renal failure, which might be fatal. It's unusual for travellers to be affected unless liv-
ing in poor sanitary conditions. It causes a fever and sometimes jaundice.
Malaria
Malaria is a serious problem in Ethiopia, with one to two million new cases reported each
year. Though malaria is generally absent at altitudes above 1800m, epidemics have oc-
curred in areas above 2000m in Ethiopia. The central plateau, Addis Ababa, the Bale and
Simien Mountains, and most of the northern Historical Circuit are usually considered safe
areas, but they're not risk-free.
For short-term visitors, it's probably wise to err on the side of caution. If you're think-
ing of travelling outside these areas, you shouldn't think twice - take prophylactics.
Self-treatment: see stand-by treatment if you're more than 24 hours away from medical
help.
CAUSE
The disease is caused by a parasite in the bloodstream spread via the bite of the female
Anopheles mosquito. There are several types of malaria - falciparum malaria is the most
dangerous type and makes up 70% of the cases in Ethiopia. Infection rates vary with sea-
son and climate, so check out the situation before departure. Unlike most other diseases
regularly encountered by travellers, there's 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. The pattern of drug-resistant malaria is changing rapidly,
so what was advised several years ago might no longer be the case.
SYMPTOMS
Malaria can present in several ways. The early stages include headaches, fevers, general-
ised aches and pains, and malaise, which could be mistaken for flu. Other symptoms can
include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and a cough. Anyone who develops a fever in a malari-
al area should assume they have a malarial infection until a blood test proves negative,
even if they have been taking antimalarial medication. If not treated, the next stage could
develop within 24 hours, particularly if falciparum malaria is the parasite: jaundice, then
reduced consciousness and coma (also known as cerebral malaria) followed by death.
Treatment in hospital is essential, and the death rate might still be as high as 10%, even in
the best intensive-care facilities in the country.
