Malaria and Vaccinations in Kenya

Visiting Kenya is a thrill and exciting but the health of an individual is a very paramount aspect. In Kenya, there are a number of illnesses that can make you uncomfortable while on your safari and to an extreme extent lose your life.

The good news is most of these diseases are preventable and curable using prescribed medication, according to tour experts it is very much advisable to visit your medical experts for vaccinations and health advice depending on the destination you are visiting on a safari.

Kenya particularly as a destination, the following is the necessary vaccination when visiting the country for a safari

Malaria Vaccination

Malaria is a very high-risk illness in Africa including Kenya most especially to travelers visiting the country with a high rate of contact most especially in hot and humid summer months in tropical regions. Malaria is spread by the female anopheles mosquito but despite its high risk, malaria is preventable and treatable with antimalarial medication.

After confirming the dates of your safari to Kenya, visit your doctor for advice on whether you should take anti-malarial prophylactics. When you are given a go-ahead with taking your medicine ensure that you stick to the prescribed schedule of your anti-malarial prophylactics.

At times you might feel some discomfort while on your safari, let your safari guide or camp manager know.

Note: if you are planning on participating in safari activities such as scuba diving, inform your doctor as it could affect the type of anti-malarial you been prescribed. If you experience some symptoms of fever and flu-like chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue within 3 months of your departure from Kenya, immediately see medical attention.

Apart from anti-malarial medication, there are some other preventive measures travelers can put in action to prevent malaria while on a safari in Kenya. These include

• Apply insect repellent to your exposed skin
• Cover your skin from neck to toe with light-colored clothes most especially at night
• Keep your room or tent doors and windows closed
• Always make sure your mosquito net is well fitted over your bed
• Use insect repellent soaps or citronella soap while on a safari

Yellow fever vaccination

Yellow fever is a deadly illness spread by mosquitoes, yellow fever is a deadly flu-like disease characterized by high fever and jaundice, jaundice is a yellowing of skin and eyes. Yellow fever is common in Africa countries including Kenya, though yellow fever is deadly it can easily be prevented with simple and highly effective vaccination admitted at various travel clinics worldwide.

Most countries require travelers to present a yellow-fever vaccination card, yellow fever vaccination is administered 10 days before the actual day of traveling to Kenya for a safari. Once the shot is administered you will be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (IVCP) which is an indication that you have taken the vaccination shot.

Other routine vaccinations

There are a couple of diseases which are rare in most developing countries such as Kenya, for travelers visiting Kenya it is highly recommended that you get vaccinations for these diseases. Immediately when confirming your trip to Kenya, visit your health care provider for your routine vaccinations such as

• Flu
• MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles)
• Polio
• Hepatitis A & B
• DPT – diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus

General health tips when traveling to Kenya

• Ensure that you have comprehensive travel health insurance before traveling to Kenya for a safari most especially if you are to visit remote areas, travelling with travel insurance keeps you on a safer render.
• Try staying healthy and fit before you go on a safari in Kenya, staying fit helps you stay in good shape and fight some illnesses such as cold, flu, and fatigue. No safari is fun while having a cold or flu.
• Include multivitamins and immune boosters in your intake before and while on a safari in Kenya, a strong immunity is not easily affected by illnesses like cold and flight flu. While coming on a safari in Kenya, it is better to pack some of the vitamins and immune boosters.
• Visit your health personnel for a thorough health checkup before embarking on a safari to Kenya, your visit to your medical personnel will highlight if your health state is safe for a safari in Kenya.
• While packing, include your prescribed drugs as you leave for Kenya, make sure your drugs/medication are in their original packaging. You can also ask your doctor for alternative names to your medication in case you need medical attention while in Kenya, also bring your doctor’s scripts with you.
• If you have illnesses like migraines, upset stomach, asthma, allergies, consider bringing spare contact lenses, asthma pumps, diabetes monitors, and any other medication you usually use. This is to help you be ready in case of an attack.
• If you require any form of medical attention, for example, a gluten-free menu for travelers with coeliac disease or special facilities for example for disabled travelers in need of a wheelchair friendly environment. Inform your Kenya Safari expert as early as possible before you commence with the safari.
• If you are traveling with children to Kenya for a safari, ensure that all your children’s vaccination routine is up to date, for example for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), polio, hepatitis, and Diptheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT).
• Before traveling to Kenya for a safari, always seek your doctor’s advice, your doctor’s advice will determine the safari activities you are to engage in while in Kenya. Safari activities such as scuba dive in the waters of the Indian Ocean are not ideal for pregnant travelers but pregnant travelers can engage in snorkeling.
• Inform your safari guide, if you are not feeling well while on a safari in Kenya

In conclusion, before you travel to Kenya for a safari. It is very advisable to make sure you are healthy and follow any advice given to you by your medical expert for an amazing and memorable safari.