If I work in Nairobi and Arusha (80% of time between both cities), yet travel throught the national parks and reserves 20% of the time throught May, June and July, should I take Malaria pills?

Clearly I'll ask my health professional, but figured you guys would give me perspective too.

Any long-term effects of taking pills for three straight months?

CL

Yes! I'd say you are as likely to get bitten in the city as the park. It only takes one bite. Talk to the CDC before you do anything.

Mark

CL you are visiting Africa in there winter.... However you will be on the equator and it will always be hot and ripe for skeeters... I would not take a chance...I used malerone and liked it and it suited me fine...

Mike

Yes, Arusha is particularly bad for malaria.

The cities are much more dangerous than the bush. Those moskies are biting one Malaria victim and taking it to another. Populated areas are the worst.

What everyone said

Both Arusha and Nairobi ARE NOT bad for Malaria. Generally speaking altitudes of 1400 m a.s.l. are the limit for the malaria parasite. Over past decade or so, certain strains have mutated and are able to survive at these altitudes. Arusha is at 1500+ m a.s.l. and Nairobi a few 100 feet higher. I have lived in arusha 6 years and never got malaria despite being bit countless times by mozzies. Not saying that thee isn´t any malaria going around but certainly it is not frequent. Most of the time, its when you go from Arusha/Nbo to lower altitudes where mozzies are present that you are at high risk!

Having said this, malaria prophylaxy for 3 or so months is still recommended.

Morjens sano köyhät toisilleen...!
What about the Selous in a start of july, do we need a malaria pills before we landing in Dar es Salaam and continue to the camp?
Yatzy from Finland

Yes!. Most of Selous is around 100m a.s.l. and full of malaria