health
A wide range of tropical diseases are spread by biting insects, the most dangerous being malaria. Antimalarial tablets are not 100% effective and precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes must be taken when travelling to malaria infected areas. It should also be emphasised that malaria is not the only potential problem and the following information regarding bite avoidance can reduce the risk of a range of other tropical diseases.
MALARIA
The most dangerous disease. Predominately found in the tropics which is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitos, which feed from dusk to dawn.
AREAS AFFECTED: South-east Asia, Pacific, Africa, South America
PREVENTION
Use chemo prophylaxis - antimalarial tablets.
Cover up with long sleeves, trousers & socks from dusk to dawn.
Use insect repellents.
Treat your clothing with bugproof clothing treatment.
Sleep under a treated mosquito net.
Carry standby malaria treatment with you if you are 24 hours away from medical help.
LEISHMANIASIS
Transmitted by Sandfly Most active at dawn and dusk
AREAS AFFECTED: Southern Mediterranean, Middle East, Northern Africa, parts of Central Africa, South-east Asia
PREVENTION
Sleep under a treated mosquito net
Avoid sleeping low to the ground
Use repellents
DENGUE FEVER
Transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which feeds during the daytime.
AREAS AFFECTED: South-east Asia, Pacific, Africa, Caribbean, South America, North Australia
PREVENTION
Cover up with long sleeves, trousers & socks.
Use insect repellent and treat your clothing with repellent.
ONCHOCERCIASIS
Parasitic worm transmitted by Black Fly flies, which are found near flowing rivers. If not treated can cause blindness.
AREAS AFFECTED: Tropical Africa, Central & South America, Yemen
PREVENTION
Avoid staying in areas for long periods of time.
SLEEPING SICKNESS
Transmitted by the Tsetse fly, which feed during the daytime They are most attracted to dark clothing and to fast moving objects such as a vehicle on safari.
AREAS AFFECTED: Tropical Africa
PREVENTION
Cover up with long sleeves, trousers & socks
Repellents have some use, but not always effective also treat your clothing with repellent. In a vehicle keep the windows closed and use a spray containing Permethrin to kill any flies already there.
YELLOW FEVER
Transmitted by 'rain forest' and 'city' mosquito, which feed at anytime
AREAS AFFECTED: Rain forest areas of South America and Central Africa
PREVENTION
Vaccination - Virtually 100% effective
Use insect repellents
TICK BORNE ENCEPHALITIS, LYME DISEASE, TYPHUS
Transmitted by ticks which live in warm forested areas, moorland, grassland
AREAS AFFECTED: Each of the above diseases are found in different parts of the world, however, ticks carrying diseases affect most of the world
PREVENTION
Cover up with trousers & socks and apply repellent to your socks and trousers. When walking in suspect areas regularly check for ticks
If an embedded tick is found slowly pull the tick out with tweezers avoiding leaving any of it behind in the skin.