SANParks.org Forums

Its now a month ago that I suggested that experts renew the malaria prevention advice topic. It now has 81 pages!. I think very few people will wade through that mass of often anecdotal information. I agree one must always go to your GP and travel clinic to get expert advice tailored to your families particular trip and health. However there are many inexperienced tourists coming from overseas and I believe that relevant information that can help them prepare for that consulation would be useful.

I have therefore now added a summary of measures to prevent malaria to the "trip tips' section of our website http://www.africaraw.com

The advice we give is based on the measures we take after 7 years of spending 4-6 months in the African bush. We of course realise we are not experts in this field and repeatedly stress that tourists must consult their own GP's & specialist travel clinics. We searched the internet for internationally recognised medical sites providing expert information on malaria prevention. These are constantly updated as new developments are reported. The list may not be complete & recommendations would be welcome.

We also searched for information on repellents varying from candles to coils, to sprays. The information we provide on these is linked to their original internet site. Further we discuss the recently marketed clothing which is permanently impregnated with permethrin and also a DEET product which has a delayed release mechanism and thus allows a lower concentration DEET to be used. These products are not apparently available in South Africa and perhaps they should be. We have no commercial interest in any of the products (unfortunately!!), and only list what we use on our trips

Once again I stress I am only trying to collate the information available and make it easier foor people to understand the basic principles in malaria prevention. I hope this will allow them to actively engage in the discussions with their local clinics when preparing for a trip to Africa..

Advice on how to improve this brief "tip" on malaria prevention will always be much appreciated.

I still hope this forum will take up my constructive criticism and publish its own expert and better malaria advice "sticky topic". Discussion of the products available in the park shops and South African chemists would be useful.