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Health
Immunization
The correct vaccines for your trip depends on many individual factors, including your precise travel plans. Vaccines commonly recommended for travelers to Kenya are extensive but are mainly intended for long term aid workers rather than short term visitors.
»Tetanus
»Diphtheria
»Polio
»Typhoid
»Hepatitis A
»Hepatitis B
»Yellow fever*
»Rabies
»Meningitis
* However note that Yellow Fever is the only Certificate required for entry into Kenya.
Several of these vaccines require more than one dose, or take time to become effective. Vaccine shortages also occur from time to time � particularly with yellow fever. So it is always best to seek advice on immunization well in advance, if possible around 6 weeks before departure.
Malaria
Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes that bite mainly at dusk and at night. Prevention consists of using effective protection against bites plus taking anti-malarial medication.
The most suitable choice of medication depends on many individual factors, and travelers need careful, professional advice about the merits of each option.
Effective antimalarial preventive drugs in Kenya change over time. Consult your doctor. Visitors to malarial areas are at much greater risk than local people and long term residents - do not change or discontinue your malaria medication other than on doctors orders.
Water Purification
Drink only water known to be safe. Don't drink tap water or brush your teeth with it, stick to bottled or canned drinks - well known brands are safe. Have bottled mineral waters opened in your presence.
If in doubt, purify water by boiling or with chlorine or iodine, or using a water purifier. Check that ice is made from pure water.
Insect Precautions
Careful precautions reduce the risk of insect-borne malaria by a factor of ten. At dusk, and at other times when insects are biting, cover up: wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, socks, and pyjamas at night.
Use an insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing.
If you are at a self catering style camp-site then use both a pyrethrum-impregnated mosquito net and some form of insecticide during the night. Ask your hotel to spray your room each evening.
Other Tropical Diseases
Tropical diseases are relatively uncommon in travelers. Most of them tend to be food-borne or insect-borne, so the precautions listed above will prevent the majority of cases.
Bilharzia, Is a parasitic disease spread by contact with water from lakes, rivers and streams. Regardless of any advice you may receive to the contrary by local people, and even tour guides, no lake, river, or stream in Africa is free of risk. Contact should be avoided or kept to a minimum. Chlorinated swimming pools are safe.
Rabies
In Africa, dogs are not pets: avoid handling any animal. Rabies is transmitted by bites, but also by licks and scratches: wounds need thorough scrubbing and cleansing with antiseptic, followed by prompt, skilled medical attention including immunization.
Heat & Sun
Use plenty of high factor sunscreen, wear a hat and shady clothing, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight - especially during the hottest part of the day. Do not expect that you will be able to acclimatize instantly to the heat as this can take up to 2 weeks and during this period, avoid hard constant physical exertion, keep cool and stay in the shade - especially during the hottest parts of the day. Increase your salt intake by adding extra salt to your food.
Thirst is a poor guide to how much fluid you need: it is essential to drink plenty of fluids but not alcohol, coffee, or strong tea, which are diuretics and cause increased water loss.
Preventing HIV & Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Kenya regrettably has a very high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are widely available, but some travelers have found packs for sale beyond the sell-by date.
Accidents and Injuries
Accidents and injuries kill many more travelers than exotic infectious diseases: be constantly alert! Risks arise not just from the accidents themselves but also from the scarcity of skilled medical care in remote areas.
»Don't drive on unfamiliar, unlit roads at night.
»Don't ride a moped, motorcycle or bicycle.
»Don't drink and drive, and don't drive too fast.
»Insist that taxi-drivers drive carefully when you are a passenger.
»Use seat belts, and for children, take your own child seats.
»Take special care at swimming pools: never drink and swim, and always check the depth.
»Carry a small first aid / medical kit.
»Minor wounds may easily become infected: look after them carefully and seek prompt attention if necessary.
Coming Home
Traveler malaria can occur if you stop taking antimalaria drugs as soon as you get home. Tablets should be continued as instructed at least 4 weeks after leaving a malarial area, except for Malarone, which can be stopped after 1 week.
Symptoms of malaria - and other tropical diseases - may not appear until long after your return home - you may not necessarily associate them with your trip. Always report any symptoms to your doctor, and make sure that they know you have been to Africa, even up to 12 months after
your visit. Demand a blood test for malaria.
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