Survival Guide - Morocco - page 1016

HIV
Morocco has an HIV infection rate of 0.15%, primarily found in cities such as Agadir and Marrakesh, and
rising to around 5% among men who have sex with men, sex workers and intravenous drug users.
Spreads Through infected blood and blood products; sexual intercourse with an infected partner; 'blood to
blood' contacts, such as through contaminated instruments during medical, dental, acupuncture and other
body-piercing procedures, or sharing used intravenous needles.
Leishmaniasis
Spreads Through the bite of an infected sandfly or dog. It may be found in rural areas in the Atlas Moun-
tains, where sandflies are more prevalent between June and October.
Symptoms and effects Slowly growing skin lumps or sores. It may develop into a serious, life-threatening
fever, usually accompanied by anaemia and weight loss.
Prevention and treatment Avoid sandfly bites. There is no vaccine, but treatment with an antimonial drug
such as Glucantime or Pentostam is straightforward, usually involving an injection.
Rabies
Spreads Through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. Rabies is endemic to Morocco.
Symptoms and effects Initial symptoms are pain or tingling at the site of the bite with fever, loss of appetite
and headache. If untreated, both 'furious' and less-common 'dumb' rabies are fatal.
Prevention and treatment People travelling to remote areas, where a reliable source of post-bite vaccine is
not available within 24 hours, should be vaccinated. Any bite, scratch or lick from a warm-blooded, furry
animal should immediately be thoroughly cleaned. If you have not been vaccinated and you get bitten, you
will need a course of injections starting as soon as possible after the injury. Vaccination does not provide im-
munity; it merely buys you more time to seek medical help.
Tuberculosis
Spreads Through close respiratory contact and, occasionally, infected milk or milk products.
Symptoms and effects Can be asymptomatic, although symptoms can include a cough, weight loss or fever
months or even years after exposure. An X-ray is the best way to confirm if you have tuberculosis.
Prevention BCG vaccine is recommended for those mixing closely with the local population, whether visit-
ing family, planning a long stay, or working as a teacher or health-care worker. As it's a live vaccine it
should not be given to pregnant women or immuno-compromised individuals.
Typhoid
Spreads Through food or water that has been contaminated by infected human faeces.