Immunizations and Health Precautions
Disclaimer: EcoVentures LLC is not a medical authority and makes no guarantees of the accuracy or completeness of this information. For the latest and most accurate information you should consult a health care professional at a traveler’s clinic or your local health department, and the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov. You should contact your traveler’s clinic at least 4-6 weeks before travel to ensure there will be enough time for any immunizations and boosters to take effect. Most people never experience any illness on our trips but it is always best to take the simple precautions necessary to stay safe and healthy.
It is very important that you bring with you the following:
- A large-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect you from the African sun.
- Sunblock.
- Insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide).
- Light weight long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect from the sun and from insects.
- Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s) or letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you.
- Always carry medications in their original containers, in your carry-on luggage. In case your checked luggage is lost or delayed you will still have your medications.
- Be sure to bring along over-the-counter medications you may need such as aspirin, antihistamines, antibiotic or cortisone creams, or antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide). It is always a good precaution to carry an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat moderate to severe diarrhea if needed (Cipro is often prescribed for this).
Most lodges will have mosquito coils or a spray insecticide to kill any flying insects in your room. Mosquito netting over the beds is also common. Mosquitoes are much less of a problem when traveling in the dry season. The following recommendations are to advise you of the precautions you should take to minimize your chances of becoming ill.
Please go to the Centers for Disease Control website for the latest information specific to your destination.
Vaccinations
If you travel outside of the U.S. it is strongly suggested that you be protected by the most commonly recommended vaccinations: tetanus, diphtheria, measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and polio. Please check with your health care provider to ensure that all of your vaccinations are up to date. Some require boosters or revaccination periodically so it is important to maintain a record of the dates when you have had your vaccinations and boosters.
Malaria
You may be in areas where malaria is possible so you should take the recommended prophylaxis which is usually mefloquine or lariam. This usually involves taking one pill a week before arrival, one pill every week while there, and one pill each week for four weeks after you return. If you will be traveling in the dry season mosquitoes won’t be a problem most of the time. The best prevention for malaria is use of an effective insect repellent containing DEET.
Yellow Fever
For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements on the CDC webpage. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may also be required for entry into certain countries if you are coming from certain countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa.
Food and Waterborne Disease
Travel anywhere outside the United States can involve some risk of traveler’s diarrhea when your system encounters an unfamiliar microorganism. More serious food and waterborne diseases are also possible, particularly in developing countries where sanitation is not always up to standard. Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout throughout the world and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis).
For complete information specific to your country of destination ask your traveler’s clinic and go to the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.