Kenya and Mexico Tips from The Adventure Doc

Off the Radar has teamed up with the  Adventure Doc to provide you with health tips for the destinations we feature.  Read on for vaccines and other concerns for Kenya and Mexico

Kenya 

• Ensure all childhood/routine immunizations are current
• Yellow Fever vaccine is advised and required for all travelers entering Kenya from an endemic area, be prepared to show proof of vaccine
• Hepatitis A and B series, Typhoid, Meningitis vaccines are advised
• Adults who have completed a primary series against polio should have a one-time booster of polio vaccine prior to travel
• Rabies vaccine is advised for travel to remote areas and those coming into contact with wildlife.  This is also advised for campers, hikers and cyclists.  Children are considered high risk for rabies, as well.
• Malaria is present in Kenya in all areas below 2,500 meters and advised prophylaxis includes atovoquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine.  Chloroquine is not an effective prevention method.  There is no malaria risk in Nairobi.  Fever occurring in a traveler to Kenya should be considered malaria until proven otherwise.
• Dengue fever, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis and filariasis are present in Kenya and insect bite prevention methods should be used including repellents and barriers such as bed nets and long sleeves/pants.
• Shcistosomiasis is found in Kenya and caution should be used when swimming or contacting fresh water.

 

Mexico:

• The Swine flu, now being referred to as Influenza A(H1N1), is still a serious threat to travelers at the time of posting. Please visit the WHO site for the most up to date information.  Check US travel advisory for travel to Mexico.
• Ensure all childhood/routine immunizations are current
• Hepatitis A and B series are advised
• Typhoid Vaccine is advised
• Rabies vaccine is advised for travel to remote areas and those coming into contact with wildlife.  This is also advised for campers, hikers and cyclists.  Children are considered high risk for rabies, as well.
• Malaria risk in Mexico is considered small and travelers to Veracruz are considered to be outside the risk areas.  Potential of malarial infection exists and travelers are advised to prevent insect bites with repellents and barrier methods such as long sleeves/pants and nets.
• Caution should be used when eating and drinking local foods.  Ensure foods are properly cooked and water is purified or bottled.  Traveler’s diarrhea is common and oral rehydration is the first step in treatment, using electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks.