A trip to Africa offers you and your family an opportunity for adventure and to learn more about another culture. Numerous locations can be visited, each providing a unique set of features that will make your trip well worth the money. Unfortunately, as with many other countries, there are always some potential risks involved when travelling to Africa. Learning more about methods for safe travel in Africa can help you make the trip more enjoyable, while also reducing you and your family’s risk of being affected by any of the diseases and health hazards that affect the continent.
Health Hazards For Travellers to Africa
Africa has been associated with quite a significant risk of contracting certain diseases, with those carried by mosquitoes being especially concerning. Luckily, recent statistics released by the World Health Organization report that a 20% decrease in the prevalence of malaria has been observed over the last six years. The incidence of other diseases that are commonly associated with travels to Africa has also been declining year-after-year. Here, we would like to provide an overview of the particular health hazards that should still be of concern to individuals travelling to Africa, as well as offer some useful preventative tips to help you keep your family safe.
Malaria
Africa still remains the continent where malaria is most prevalent. The disease is transmitted by female mosquitoes and can become life-threatening when left untreated. Up to 90% of malaria cases occur in Africa, and approximately 91% of malaria-related deaths occur in this continent. The infection can cause chills, headaches and fever, as well as respiratory distress, anaemia and more serious complications when treatment is not administered in a timely manner.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is another disease that is transmitted through a mosquito bite, similar to malaria. The disease can cause symptoms such as severe headaches, muscle pain and joint pain, as well as fatigue, vomiting, nausea, high fever and, in some affected individuals, pain behind their eyes.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is also carried by a mosquito and, should a person be bitten by a mosquito infected by the virus, they may contract the infection. This infection occurs in phases, with the first phase often causing no obvious symptoms. Once the infection progresses into the next phase, symptoms such as muscle pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting and fever may develop. Approximately 15% of individuals may enter the ”toxic phase”, where fever occurs, symptoms of jaundice develop, and life-threatening complications develop when appropriate treatment is not administered as soon as possible.
Zika Virus
The zika virus gained a lot of attention after causing a healthcare epidemic recently. Some types of mosquitoes carry the virus. Most people infected with the zika virus do not develop symptoms, but some may experience joint pain, fever, red eyes, muscle pain and headaches. This virus is considered hazardous due to the complications caused during pregnancy.
Lassa Fever
A less commonly discussed disease that is mostly found in the Western Africa region. A recent outbreak has caused more people to become concerned about the infection, however. The virus is transmitted through interaction with faeces or urine from a contaminated rodent. Unlike the other diseases mentioned here, this disease can be transmitted from one person to another.
Preventative Measures For Safe Travel In Africa
Prevention should always be a top priority when it comes to you and your family’s wellbeing when travelling to the African continent. One of the most effective methods of preventing infection is to obtain a vaccine prior to your arrival in Africa. You should spend some time to learn about potential diseases in the specific area you will be visiting, and obtain the right vaccines to ensure both you and your family is protected. A recent paper by the National Institutes of Health also talks about a new type of vaccine that will soon provide a single shot for the protection of all known mosquito-borne diseases.
What Are The Safest Countries In Africa?
Most parts of Africa have been associated with some kind of potential health hazard, but when looking at the safest countries in Africa, you should really consider where the incidence of diseases like Malaria and Dengue fever are less common. The lowest risks seem to be associated with Cape Verde, Algeria, Botswana and Swaziland. Higher risk areas in Africa would include Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Nigeria, Mozambique, Mali, Liberia and Kenya.
Conclusion
While the prevalence of diseases accounted for in African countries is on the decline, travellers should still be concerned about the possibility of being infected with malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever and other health hazards during their travels. Safe travel in Africa is possible, but preventative measures should be taken prior to the arrival, which helps to reduce the risk of infection and provides for a more enjoyable, stress-free journey.
