Travelers who visit Africa from areas without malaria are particularly
vulnerable because they have not developed any acquired
immunity.Estimating the risk
for infection for various types of travelers is difficult and can be
substantially different even for persons who travel or reside
temporarily in the same general areas within a country. For example,
travelers staying in air-conditioned hotels may be at lower risk than
backpackers or adventure travelers. Similarly, long-term residents
living in screened and/or air-conditioned housing are less likely to
be exposed than are persons living without such amenities.
Precautions for
travelers
Insecticide
Treated Nets (ITNs) - It is important to sleep under an ITN being
as the Anopheles mosquito which carries and transmits the
malaria parasite bites indoors between the hours of 10pm and 4am
(22:00 and 04:00). Insecticide treated nets can be purchased
from commercial retailers such as Shoprite and Game. There are three
Shoprite stores in Lusaka and one in each provincial capital.
Insect Repellent-Use an
insect repellent with at least 25% DEET. Effective repellents
can also be purchased at Shoprite and most pharmacies (chemists).
Chemoprophylaxis-there are
several different types of chemoprophylaxis available today.
Speak to an infectious disease health care provider about which may
be appropriate for you.
For descriptions of various
prophylaxis check out
Virtual Naval Hospital Appendix 4.
For more information regarding
infectious diseases while traveling, check out the
CDC's Traveler's Health
page.
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