Malaria is a critical disease that can be fatal. It is common in some tropical and subtropical countries. From a global perspective, malaria is a serious public health problem, with an estimated 200 million new cases each year. It is imperative that you take precautions to avoid the risk of infection, especially when traveling to these vulnerable areas. When traveling to a country prone to malaria you should always consult a doctor or nurse. They provide you with up-to-date information on the best medicines for each country. Below are 5 effective ways to avoid malaria in Africa
1. Be aware of the risk
The risk of a mosquito bite varies from country to country, and the type of trip. For example, packing back or visiting rural areas usually carries a higher risk than staying in urban hotels during your visit. In addition, the risk varies from season to season in some areas. Malaria is more common in the rainy or rainy season than in the dry season. The main type of parasite, the level of drug resistance also varies in different countries. Although the risk of traveling to all malaria-affected countries varies, it is advisable to take serious precautions to avoid malaria.
2. Avoid mosquito bites
Mosquitoes that transmit malaria usually bite at dusk and at night, so you should take active precautionary and protective measures during this period. You should also apply an effective insect repellent to your exposed skin and clothing. Diethyltoluamide can be sprayed on your clothing as it is a safe and effective insect repellent. It has the ability to hold up to three hours for 20%, six hours for 30% and 12 hours for 50% of the repellent. After a concentration of 50% there is no longer any increase in the duration of protection. In cases where both diethyltoluamide and sunscreen are required, diethyltoluamide should be used after sunscreen application. Diethyltoluamide can be used in children and children from two months of age. Pregnant mothers can also use diethyltoluamide at a concentration of up to 50%. It is also safe and secure to be used by breastfeeding mothers.
Make sure you sleep in a room that is well ventilated as it reduces susceptibility to mosquito bites as the room temperature is minimized. All entry points such as doors, windows and other possible entry routes to the bedroom should be shielded with fine mesh netting. You should spray the room with an insecticide before the end of the day to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered during the day. If you are in a place where electricity is available, you can use the electrically heated tool to vaporize a tablet of the pyrethroid at night. Burning the mosquito coil is not an effective preventive method.
3. Do mosquito repellents work?
Mosquito repellent cream contains DEET and is a suitable and most effective method of bite prevention therapy. It is safe for children, adults and pregnant women as it has been in use for 50 years. Applied to exposed skin, it provides a durable and effective method of repelling mosquitoes.
4. Mosquito nets treated with insecticides
When sleeping in an unscreened room or even outdoors, make sure an insecticide-treated mosquito net is well placed around your bed. This significantly reduces the risk of mosquito bites. Make sure the mesh has small meshes with no holes and is tucked under the bottom sheet. During the day you should roll it up so that mosquitoes and other insects do not find their way through the web. Bring your own net when traveling as there is no guarantee that you will find a treated net at your destination.
5. Preventive medication
Taking preventative medication is a good idea when visiting an area where malaria is common. The problem can be choosing the most effective anti-malaria treatment for the country you intend to visit. You must also consider your individual circumstances. The most suitable drug depends on the country of destination and your medical condition. You should seek advice with every new trip. Don’t assume that the last medication you took on your last trip is the right one for the next trip, even though you are in the same country. Parasite resistance patterns to some drugs are constantly changing. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists are regularly updated on the best medicines for each country.