Mali Travel Forum

hi guys!
i read conflicting suggestions for malaria in Mali and Burkina Faso.
can you comment if it is really advisable to use malaria pills in March?
many thanks
Nikos

I recommend that you seek the advice of your local healthcare professional. Malaria is a potentially fatal desease and advice should be sought from a trained professional, not an internet website.

Hiya,

One of my students was in Mali over the new year, she asked her doctor and was given the pills. There is a definite malaria risk in Mali and Burkina Faso (and Senegal) an up-to-date, no-nonsense site to look at is the London Hospital for Tropical Diseases: http://www.thehtd.org/travel/destination.asp?DocID=115
There is resistance to the pills so you want a net too.

Regards

Mark

IMHO don't even listen to conflicting suggestions. Malaria is a killer!!! Over a million die each year from malaria in the world and 90% of them in Africa. Without being paranoic about it, you need to take your pills. This from somebody who has been going to West Africa since 1975 and had a father that contracted malaria in Nigeria, and has seen the effects of the sickness. Of course you're going to get the people who will tell you, "Huh, I didn't take anything and I never caught it", but remember you only need to catch it once. Don't become a statistic and have a good trip anyway.

Sadly, we had a well known and much loved VT member who died of malaria in Ghana over a year ago. Always take malaria medication if it is recommended. Do not gamble with your life.

Mosquitoes, Malaria and Dengue Fever.

This is a question that appears quite a lot here on VT.
You will hear from people who never take any kind of medication.
You will hear from those who do.

May I suggest that you contact your own doctor or practice nurse and ask for their advice?
If they recommend that you use some form medication, get them to recommend the treatment.
You may find that some treatments you make you ill, if so, ask the doctor for an alternative.

“I will only be there 3 or 4 days, do I really need to take the medicine”
I does not matter, if it is an infected area, 3 or 4 minutes is all it takes to get Malaria.

True fact: - Malaria has killed more than half the people who have EVER lived.

I’m guilty of taking the risk in Sri Lanka but Africa is a different matter altogether, looks like a consensus.

You don't mess about with Africa, it bites back, big style.

Just a side question GP, did you take anti-malarials for southern India ? Thanks, Paul

Yes, of course. Malarone everyday and for a week after I got back.

many thanks to all, guys, you don't give me much choise!
it seems i must use pills for the whole month i'll be there.
it's really a pity to hear those sad incidents - for sure let's not be part of another sad story, since we do everything for fun
i wish good and safe travels to all!
nikos

Very enjoyable, and safe travels to you Nikos.

I went to Mali in December-January and i had to take the pills for Malaria. I think there is risk of Malaria during all the year there...
Go to the health center and ask for the suitable medication for that area...

greetings from barcelona,
elisa