==== ==== For a huge selection of FREE videos about Africa travel please visit our site. http://mostviewedvideosonyoutube.com/videos/africa_travel/ ==== ====
Here's a piece that won't be light or interesting reading, but where you will find some very important health considerations for travel to Africa. Planning ahead for these infectious disease hazards can save your trip or even save your life. Of all the destinations you could choose for your vacation, Africa presents the highest health risk for travelers. African trypanosomiasis, malaria, meningitis, Schistosomiasis, and yellow fever are found in many locations, and hepatitis B, HIV, and tuberculosis are common south of the Sahara. Hazards are greatest in countries where there has been fighting or political disturbance, where public health measures are likely to be neglected. Burns, cuts, scratches and scrapes need to be cleansed and dressed with care to avoid infection. Snakes, scorpions, and predatory animals can be dangerous in the wild, or in zoos. Resist any urge to pet animals held in cages. Blood products in much of Africa are inadequately, but the Blood Care Foundation (see Appendix) sends carefully screened blood products quickly worldwide. You need to register with the foundation before you leave on your trip. North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia) poses almost no risk of malaria, due to its desert climate, but a high risk of dehydration and heat-related diseases. Yellow fever does not occur in North Africa, but an international certificate of immunization against the disease is required for all persons over the age of 1 year traveling from an infected zone to Algeria, Egypt, Libya, or Tunisia. Influenza outbreaks in North Africa tend to occur about the same time of year as in North America and Europe, November to April. East Africa (Burundi, The Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, RĂƒÂŠunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Uganda, and United Republic of Tanzania) is home to falciparum malaria year-round, and travelers to Mauritius are additionally at risk for the Vivax form of the disease. Meningitis outbreaks appear seasonally in East Africa. Infection is possible year-round but risk is greatest in the following months: April through November in Malawi and Mozambique, May through September in Burundi, may through October in Djibouti and Rwanda, June through November in the United Republic of Tanzania, July through November in Kenya, September through April in Eritrea, October through May in Somalia, and October through June in Ethiopia. Outbreaks occur at the end of the rainy season in The Comoros, and all year round in Uganda.
South Africa (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, St. Helena, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe) is relatively free of infectious disease. Chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria, however, occurs in all of South Africa except Lesotho and St. Helena. Influenza outbreaks may occur any time of year in the tropical reaches of Botswana and Namibia, and seasonally (may through October) in Lesotho, sections of Namibia south of the Tropic of Capricorn, St. Helena, South Africa, and Swaziland. Meningitis is rare in South Africa except in Namibia, and there primarily at the beginning of the wet season. Yellow fever does not occur in South Africa, although travelers from infected areas must have vaccination certificates to enter Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe regardless, as do travelers above the age of one year in South Africa. West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, São Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo) is plagued by chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria throughout the year, except in the Cape Verde Islands, where risk is limited to September to November, and in Mauritania, where chloroquine treatment is still usually effective. Influenza outbreaks can occur any month of the year in West Africa. Meningitis is a seasonal risk in most of West Africa. Although not strictly limited to any one season, the incidence of meningitis is highest January through April in Liberia, May through September in São Tome and Principe, September through May in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Togo, October through April in Mali, October through June in Senegal, November through June in Gambia and Guinea Republic, and December through April in Sierra Leone. Yellow fever is endemic in rural areas throughout West Africa. Most West African countries require an immunization certificate for admission to the country, except for infants one year and younger.
And you also take cafe of bed bugs danger. Avoid Dehydration on the plane and find out more about Traveler's Diarrhea than you ever knew you needed to know. Robert Rister is author of nine books and over 2,000 articles on natural health.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Rister
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For a huge selection of FREE videos about Africa travel please visit our site. http://mostviewedvideosonyoutube.com/videos/africa_travel/ ==== ====