Travelling to Africa: health risks reviewed.
Africa's varied ecology presents a wide range of travel health threats: infections; accidents; envenomations; an uncertain drug supply; problematic access to competent medical care outside South Africa. Important vaccine preventable diseases include yellow fever, meningococcal disease, typhoid, polio, rabies, and hepatitis A and B; routine vaccinations should be up to date. Much, but not all, of sub-Saharan Africa is malarious with chloroquine resistant falciparum dominating; chemoprophylaxis and personal protection measures will often be indicated. Other threats are less obvious, e.g. helminth and protozoal infections. The immunocompromised and other high-risk groups may require special attention. Risk mitigation strategies may include education, vaccination, chemoprophylaxis, personal protection measures, provision of treatment and equipment packs, behaviour modification, and evacuation insurance.
Toovey
Stephen
S
toovey@travelclinic.co.za
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014195:Travel; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods