Yellow fever and malaria

Yellow fever requires a vaccination, which should be noted on the International Vaccination Booklet. On arrival be it by land, sea or air, customs officers or public health officers may request to see this booklet.

Caused by the female mosquito, malaria can be deadly if not immediately treated. Unfortunately no vaccine has yet been found for malaria, however, precautionary measures can and should be taken to avoid or minimize the risk of getting sick. High fever, vomiting, stiff and aches and deep fatigue are some of the major symptoms. At any sign of the above symptoms, a blood test for malaria must quickly be sought and the required medication taken.

Quite frequent but more painful than serious are the larva of the mango flies, invisible, microscopic fly larva that penetrate the skin. At the early stage of growth the larva will form a whitish pimple on the skin. (What looks like a small infection, or pimple is actually the worm growing.) To remove the worm cover the area with Vaseline ointment, and let the area sit for a while. A good squeeze to the affected spot will  expel the worm.

To minimize the risk of contacting the worms, all clothes should be ironed with a hot iron and fly populations should be controlled with the help of insecticides