Yellow Fever Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Yellow Fever, including details on immunization, vaccines, symptoms, transmission.

Travelling to Africa: health risks reviewed.

Toovey S

toovey@travelclinic.co.za

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.

Published 4 August 2006 in Travel Med Infect Dis, 4(3): 147-58.
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