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Last night I was talking with a hunter who had hunted the area SE of Bulawayo for leopard. When I asked him which malaria medication he used, I was surprised when he stated that he used none as recommended by his safari company and booking agent. He went on to say that he never even saw a mosquito during the hunt. Since my hunting partner and I will be there in June (same time as the hunter was) I was just wondering what the experienced hunters and PHs of this area of Zim think? Yes, I will contact our safari company and PHs to get their input too. Blake | ||
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Any time I have hunted anywhere Zim I have taken malaria meds-Malarone. | |||
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Yes, Malarone. Why take chances? Paul Smith SCI Life Member NRA Life Member DSC Member Life Member of the "I Can't Wait to Get Back to Africa" Club DRSS I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas" "A failed policy of national defense is its own punishment" Otto von Bismarck | |||
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Been to Zimbabwe 6 times in their winter 9 (June July August September) never bitten by a Mosquito. Saying that you DO NOT want to get malaria. I took Malaron every day as prescribed as a sensible precaution In my mind it would be extremely fool hardy not to do so | |||
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I think if you are anywhere near water you will get them as soon as the sun goes down. I was bitten by them while in the blind waiting for hyena.They are very small.I went to the hyena blind in shorts and saw my ph and camera man applying repellant while in the truck-I wondered what they were doing and did not expect mosquitoes.Then they got me and it itched and swelled.I hate wet places and like mountain(or hilly) areas instead.I cant stand mosquitoes. Living in Quebec I think I can go without seeing a fresh body of water for the rest of my life. The next time I am in Africa I will bring something to deal with the swelling(and who knows what) in case I am bit. | |||
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You want to take prophylaxis. My wife and I use Malarone, the WalMart pharmacy in Aberdeen doesn't stock it, but can get it in a day. If your insurance has a prescription drug plan, it's treated like any other prescription. It's otherwise fairly expensive. | |||
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Check this out: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/tra...country_table/a.html Look at the Country table: Afghanistan is high risk below 2500 meters (8202 ft) in mosquito season, April-December. CDC choice for our soldiers in Afghanistan: 1. Malarone 2. Doxycycline 3. Mefloquine (Lariam) Mefloquine is to be avoided, a last resort, especially if history of seizures, vertigo/vestibular problems, psychiatric issues, cardiac, liver or blood disorder, family history of seizures, depression, bipolar disorder, etc., etc. I chose Malarone for myself in 2001 when it was still on patent and the expensive new medicine, and paid several hundred dollars for 30 doses. It was a cheap generic in 2010, and only cost me a $30 co-pay for a 46-day supply, daily dosing. US Gov has been buying up so much doxycycline, seems they have preferred it over Malarone for cost reasons previously, that demand has exceeded supply and prices and availability are crazy. May be easier and cheaper to get Malarone lately. Malarone is the better of the two for Malaria prophylaxis, more often than not, in my humble medical opinion. Tanzania is listed as moderate risk, year-round, all areas at altitudes below 1,800 m (5,906 ft): Drug Choices: 1. Malarone  2. Doxycycline 3. Mefloquine  | |||
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Here is an interesting story about Larium: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08...azy-pills.html?_r=1& Doxycycline can cause photo-sensitivity as well, but that can be minimized by taking it in the evening. It also provides some protection from tick borne illnesses. It has been in short supply, with insane prices. They were blaming Hurricane Sandy taking out some manufacturing facility, but who knows. I face so many drug shortages at work, it's almost like living in the old Soviet Union. | |||
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I would take along some Doxycycline too for the tick-bourne stuff as needed. Cheap life insurance even in Illinois where a friend's uncle died of ehrlichiosis, neglected his tickbite, usually less rare south of there ... and Wisconsin too? Whitetail deer are the reservoir for that one too.  Highjack:  | |||
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I hunted near Bulawayo last August and was advised by a med clinic in Minneapolis to use meds for malaria. I used malarone. NRA Patron member | |||
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SDSpink, Go to the CDC website and follow the prompts for Zimbabwe and take everything they recommend including the malaria prophylaxis. If your in Afruca just take the malorone or similiar as it is cheap insurance against malaria. You do not want adult onset malaria as it can kill you. Your friends PH and agent are doing clients a huge disservice by recommending not to take a malaria prophylaxis. I've actually seen very few mosquitoes in my travels in Africa but it only takes one. Why play Russian roulette? Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Thank you to everyone who responded. I had read the CDC's recommendations and researched everything I could find on Accurate Reloading. That is why I was so surprised to hear that the safari company and booking agent had stated that no medications were needed. Obviously, I will be taking one of them---probably Malarone. Blake | |||
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Smart man. | |||
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Thanks for this thread. My plan for 2014 is building up as I have now paid the deposit. My GP is from South Africa and a seasoned senior citizen. So he should be a good source of the right kind of advice for bush bugs etc.. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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Has anyone had a problem sleeping when on Malarone? I took it on a trip to Zim, first thing in the AM, and found I couldn't sleep without taking a sleeping pill. For the first two days I attributed it to jet lag and time change but the problem persisted. As soon as I stopped the Malarone the problem vanished. I guess it will be Doxy on future trips. Am I the only one who experienced this symptom with Malarone? Tom Z NRA Life Member | |||
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No, you're not alone on that one. Malarone, in rare cases, can affect not only sleep induction but thought processes and other psychiatric symptomology. This is rare, and in my opinion, not a reason to not take Malarone for malaria prophylaxis. Its not a bad idea , as stated, to take along Doxy as well , should other bacterial issues occur. I have been treated with a Rx similar to Malarone, Mepron, b/c I had Babesiosis as a coinfection with Lyme disease. Surprisingly,Babesia & malaria are very similar structurally. I tolerated the Mepron OK, no mood issues, but I did get some screwball dreams out of the deal! These " as-you-fall-asleep " dreams" feel weird, had them happen last time I took Malarone in Zim a few weeks ago, one night only. Entertainment for my wife, if nothing else. | |||
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I took Malaria medication as directed for the first four trips to Africa. After experiencing terrible tinnitus, horrible dreams with Larium plus not feeling well I decided I would wait until I contracted the disease in the future before I would take anything. Many in the medical field said I was nuts but I decided I would make myself a smaller target used bug spray, wore long pants, shirts, hat and light gloves after dark as I took in a number after dark ele hunts and avoided late night fishing on Lake Kariba. Ten hunts later I have never contracted Malaria and I have enjoyed my hunts without any medication side effects. Those hunts were taken in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia, swamps of Botswana. I contracted nothing. Maybe I was lucky. I think every ones immune system can be different and this decision should not be made lightly. You must be on your guard with any changes in your health care status on your return. I don't think any medication offered can claim there is no chance you will contract malaria if you take their medication. In closing I think you need to be very aware of your health on your trip and on your return. You should also listen to your PH as they are usually very aware of the risks of malaria and other diseases in the area you are hunting and those risks can vary thru out the year. | |||
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I was using Doxicyclon a few weeks ago not far out of Bulawayo for both Malaria and Tickbite fever but stopped using these Antibiotics as there was no ticks or Mosquito's. Phs family don't use it at that time of year and its is noted to be easier to determine the strain if you where very unlucky to contract.  Put me on in the Zambezi or Niassa, now thats a totally different story. | |||
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Our own AR member Wendall contracted malaria a few years ago. Had to be hospitalized in Narobi, I think. Was taking meds and that damn skeeter walked right thru and bit and all hell broke loose. So never take the chance. Mike | |||
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Bob, I hope you are not dancing with the devil on this one. I agree with you that given the the choice between Larium and the risk of contracting malaria, I would probably go with the latter. But the reality is that Larium is no longer the only choice. There are other good meds available, Malarone and Doxy, to name two. Yes, these also have side effects for some people -- certainly not all -- but the side effects in no way compare to those with Larium. Just seems to me that this is a situation where prudent avoidance is the way to go. Mike | |||
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Could I make a suggestion here? Whatever med you choose for Malaria prevention, take some of it a week or ten days prior to leaving on your trip and see if any negative side effects appear. If they do you have time to change tactics, if not you are good to go. I don't think it's a good idea to pick a med and not use it until you are on the ground in Africa, or anywhere else for that matter. Doesn't just apply to Malaria meds, but any "new" drug you might consider on the trip. Just a thought and has worked for me. Larry Sellers SCI (International) Life Member | |||
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Sage advice! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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