malaria protection

I've a feeling it is more a case that these other sources who disagree have become somewhat out of date.

Most other advice sites that I've found either give no reference as to the source of their data/advice, or refer to official reports that date from around 2003 or even earlier.

Even the HPA until recently gave different advice based on data from around 2003 (until this new report was released in Jan 2007).

The situation regarding malaria in India has changed quite a lot over the last few years and I've yet to find another credible source of advice that disagrees with the HPA that has been updated anytime recently.

Here's a link to an Indian site on Malaria, updated Dec 29th 2006. the stats shown would disagree with the point of view that the problem is getting better in India.

I also feel sure if there was a major shift in the incidences of Malaria in India the WHO would issue an update.

Anyway how can Goa be a hotspot and the rest of South India be free of the parasite????
Malaria doesn't recognise state borders. The stats from the link I gave are from Karnataka and show even Bangalor with a major problem uoto end 2005.

not arguing with you abfab just wondering how they arrived at their conclusions independamtly of the rest, could well be a reason we're not aware of but I dunno, rings some bells with me. Like beaurocrats gone mad!

From the CDC

Updated Dec 22 2006

An interesting discussion with fruitful links, kudos to all..

Hi Everyone,

I was browsing through this thread and I have to echo "abfabs" statements with regard to malaria advice being given in the UK.

The HPA statements are echoed by the advice given to me by MASTA recently. I was advised by my GP to contact MASTA as they have the most up to date travel advice. I did this and I was told by this travel clinic that tablets are now not recommended in parts stated by the HPA as now low to no risk; areas such as Delhi, Rajastan, and Utter pradesh (golden triangle) for instance. (this advice covers large part of North and South india but excludes central and Assam parts)

Mosquito bite avoidance advice is given only.

I did mention that the CDC site still states that tablets needed but they inform me that this organisation's advice will soon fall in line with the UK advice, as UK advice since 2003 up to Jan 2007 used to be the same as CDC.

The situation has been constantly monitored over the years and the risk is now thought to be low in the stated areas in "abfabs" previous thread.

Obviously you can make your own choices, but this is most up to date advice within the uk.

Obviously you still need all of your recommended vaccinations.

regards

Traveladdict

I downloaded it when I read Shakti's post but only read some of it more recently (well... the internet was down, what to do? ).

It is a really excellent guide, with much information about malria, its transmission and prevention.

The advices on travelmedication change often, per country, per period.
Make sure your doctor knows about the latest developments.
It's all about YOUR health and wellbeing!!

Hmm, just an observation that there was unseasonal rain in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur when I was there in Feb, and we had to hunt 'n' kill mossies in pretty much every hotel we stayed in in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan. So one assumes that MASTA and HPA's risk analysis is *not* based on a lack of mosquitoes or dependent on dry weather and a lack of standing water, because in our trip we had all the ingredients.

For two data points, Ed and I were on doxycycline. Also, for bonus points, there were a total of *two* hotels of the 11 we stayed in that actually had the wherewithal to hang our mosquito net which we had conscientiously lugged all the way from Australia. Fortunately it was light, it made good padding.

I wish their advice was based on the absence of mossies --- but I think it it is based on an overall risk assessment including the fact that most malaria that you are likely to catch in India is seen as a treatable disease these days, not something that will recur for life.

My impression. Could be wrong. Haven't read all that document yet.

Nick, I'm curious how you protect yourself as a long term resident. I'm leaving next week for 6 months in Goa and am afraid to take the malaria meds due to side effects. I plan on using repellant and netting at night if needed.

TIA

All my windows are covered in net. This is a must. There are special nets such as Netlon for this purpose, which can be attached by velcro or even on an opening frame. Make sure that all chimneys, ventilator holes, etc, are also covered in this stuff.

I have a netting curtain draped over the outside of the door, which helps to prevent entry by the ones hanging around out there, or sitting on the door itself (somebody once told me that they like teak!)

They still get in, I still get bitten. Mrs N does too, but she has the typical resistance to the immune response, so she just gets tiny red marks you have to search for.

I'm told by my doctor that my immune system will get used to it and I'll stop itching like hell when the damn things come anywhere near me (it's true: they don't have to bite me, I get an allergic reaction to them sitting on me and thinking about it. I think it is to do with the stuff they dribble in the mouthwatering phase). IMer Noodle, who has been here twelve years, confirms that she has developed the immunity.

The battery-operated electric mossie-zapper bats are excellent. Mine is always to hand.

They still get in, they still get to me, they still bite me. . But if I did not take the precautions I've mentioned it would be a hundred times worse.

Of course I'm mostly talking about the discomfort of it, not the risk of catching one of several serious diseases.

I no longer take anti-malarials. I took irregularly (as in most weeks) for a while, now I'm not.

If I get a really bad attack of 'flu' I'll get a malaria blood test. Done this once so far.

We sleep under a net which is permanently rigged over the bed.

In terms of taking an anti-malarial, I don't think I'd consider six months as 'long-term'. I'd count that as years, or especially foreseeable-future.

Thanks. Good advice. Since I have early stages of kidney disease, I'm really careful about any drugs I take. As such I'd rather take anti-bite precautions than the meds themselves. I had malaria when I was in Costa Rica about 8 years ago. I'll do whatever I can to avoid it again; short of destroying my health taking precautionary measures that is.

Thanks Vigile and Mr N as I was on the verge of PMing Mr N with an identical question as I and Mrs M will be there in two weeks for a period of four years (on and off).

Nick - my Egyptian wife is with me in Australia for the first time and is having an extreme reaction to unfamiliar strains of mozzie. You may or may not know that Vicks Vapour Rub is very effective in taking away the pain and itch. Unsure if you can get it there - happy to bring you some when we come as I remember only too well the pain.

Hav'nt noticed any vick vapour rub here but you can get tiger balm which is almost the same from any chemist and works just as well.

Amazing! Yes, Vick is easily available here. We have both that and Tiger Balm in the house.

Does Mrs M (or anyone else...) get the blotchy rash (looks almost like a blister) that these things give me?

A bite is a bite, small red and round spot, with a noticeable tiny hole in the centre.

The blotches are pale, raised, irregular shaped, and give a burning sensation like acid splashed on the skin (any metalworker will know this one!) for an hour or so.

The best advice I can give is to consult a local doctor. He will have good knowledge about the mossies in your street, what incidence of malaria there is and what drugs, if any, it is resistant to. (so talk to a doc living in the same area rather than heading straight for a posh private hospital somewhere else). Setting up a relationship with a general practitioner is a good thing to do anyway; I was lucky to know one socially before I moved here.