FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Yellow Fever Vaccination - Requirements for Africa
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 5:13 pm
  #65  
JDiver
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Not everywhere is as assiduous - the lodge manager at one Kenya upscale highlands lodge died of cerebral malaria, because he thought there could be no problem. There are significant differences in different countries and what is possible, sanitation and even medical competence (why we have the saying in some places "When in pain, take the plane"). He wasn't overly young, old, frail or sickly, so he must have been stupid.

For some destinations (e.g. much of RSA/ZA) I frankly do not use prophylaxis myself - I may carry Malarone to use presumptively if I ever have malarial symptoms. This has worked well for me but I would certanly never make recommendations to others about health-related issues with such import.


Originally Posted by johan rebel
True, but upscale lodges go to far greater lengths to make life miserable for mosquitoes. You can expect proper full-size impregnated bednets without holes, rooms that are sprayed daily (and anually with DDT in South Africa), as well as lodge grounds where all pools, puddles and other potential mosquito breeding sites have been drained or poisoned. It is quite possible to spend a week or longer at a game lodge in the rainy season and not encounter a single mosquito. I speak from experience.

Malaria is nothing you should worry about as a game lodge guest. The chances of getting it are extremely low, and if you do anyway it is something that can easily be dealt with. Unless you are very young, old, frail, sick or simply stupid, it is not going to be fatal.

Johan
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