Avoiding Malaria and Insect Born Diseases

Think of malaria, and you probably think of death. Malaria is the most common infectious disease in the world. It can be fatal but it can also be cured and prevention is possible using malaria tablets. It is passed on by a mosquito whose saliva contains malaria parasites. Malaria does not affect countries with cooler climates, and is unlikely in temperate climates. Countries with tropical climates are most likely to harbour the disease.

Affected Countries

Malaria is a big problem in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Sub Saharan Africa, Central America, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Argentina, southern China, central and Southeast Asia and India and mosquitoes that spread malaria are more likely to emerge at night than in the daytime.

Malaria Prevention includes:

• Taking malaria tablets before you set off on your trip
• Wearing trousers and clothing with long sleeves to avoid night-time insects
• Insects can still bite through thin clothing, so be sure to use insect repellent with 20% - 50% DEET (Diethylmetatoluamide)
• Spray insecticide to help prevent mosquitoes from entering hotel rooms
• Spray a mosquito net with insecticide
• Be aware that garlic and ultrasound does not ward off biting insects
• Frequent air-conditioned rooms as mosquitoes are not fond of them

There is no vaccine to prevent malaria but one is currently in progress.

Anti-malaria tablets are available. The required tablets vary depending on the country that you are visiting. You should seek advice from your GP and take the malaria tablets before you travel, as well as during your stay and after you have arrived home, in order to cover the incubation period. They should be taken with meals or soon afterwards.

Malaria Symptoms

At an early stage, malaria symptoms can be similar to those of many other infections caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. Symptoms may include:

• Fever and headache
• Sweats and chills
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and nausea

Malaria Advice

Certain prescription drugs can protect against malaria. These include:

• Chloroquine is suggested when travelling only to countries where the malaria mosquitoes are not unresponsive to it, such as Mexico, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. One dose should be taken prior to leaving, one during the stay and once a week for the next month after your return.
• Mefloquine is used when mosquitoes are resistant to chloroquine. One dose should be taken before leaving, one during the stay and once a week for the next month.

Yellow Fever

Another insect borne disease is yellow fever. It is also transmitted via mosquitoes. Yellow fever is a common disease in Central and South America and Africa. There is no real threat of contracting malaria in Asia, even though the mosquitoes that spread yellow fever are in the region. Travellers should be vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before arriving in an at-risk country. You may require a certificate of immunisation to enter certain places.

The mosquitoes that spread yellow fever are more likely to come out in the daytime. Drugs cannot cure yellow fever. Most sufferers fully recover by themselves and have immunity thereafter. A vaccine is available for yellow fever. One vaccine gives immunity for ten years. If you are travelling to a high-risk area, you will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. You will also need one to travel to certain parts of Asia.

Insect repellent should be used to protect against yellow fever.