No Malaria in Dharamsala?

mr. gordo

I was informed that there is no malaria, or mosquitos in Dharamsala because it is 1700 feet above sea level. Is this true? Thanks.

mr. g

wonderwomanusa

The US Center for Disease Control says the risk of malaria exists if your altitude is less than 2000 meters (around 6500 feet above sea level)

cyberhippie

Well a downside of mass tourism in Mcleodganj is there are certainly Mossies, so if there are mossies I guess it would follow that there might be some Malaria risk!!

kidsan

it's actually 1700mts above sea level and as such there really isn't a mosquito/malaria problem...lots of dogs though

cyberhippie

At the right time of year there are certainly mossies kidsan, the locals were bemoaning their lot the last time I was there, they reckoned it was the influx of bodies that brought the mossies!! I got a couple of bites when I was there in April some years back!

dzibead

Actually it's about 5500 feet above sea level, but that's still low enough to be in the "malaria zone" according to the CDC. And as cyberhippie said, there are mosquitos galore.

That said, I haven't heard that malaria is a common problem in that area, but to get to Dharamsala, you will be going through other areas where it possibly IS a problem, so you should give some thought to a malaria prophylactic. The cheapest and easiest with fewest side effects is doxycycline. Elsewhere on IM, there's lots of info (and opinions) - probably more than you want to hear -- on malaria and preventive measures. Take some mosquito repellent and try to avoid being bitten in the first place, because malaria or no malaria, mosquito bites are a drag.

kidsan

ah, they must just leave me alone then...probably cos i always make sure that i've got some soft female flesh close by

cyberhippie

I got a couple, Mrs cyberhippie was as usual the pin cushion

vistet

I love the dogs, and what they say about the community around them with their air of being safe , and often indifferent , to people.



But yes , there are mossies too, something I brought up with my specialist doctor before my last trip. He said that they were aware that mossies could live at these altitudes, but that the Plasmodium can´t complete their reproductive cycle there.

Sensi

I thought is quite well know that there is infact malaria in Mclead and Dharmasala? I have Many tibeatans come from the NE states of India carring with them the nasty strain of malaria. Usually what they say is over 2000m there will no mossies and no malaria. But this not true!
In fact it is 2200m. If you want to avoid mossies in DS stay in Dharmasnot, which is a bit higher.
also by Nov. it will be cold enough that they should all die anyways.

dzibead

You aren't going to get malaria from another PERSON though.

But TB is another matter. TB is very common in the Tibetan community in India and you can get it from prolonged exposure to someone with an active case. Since we know from your other posts (speaking to the OP) that you plan to live in a monastery for some time, you may well be in contact with people who could expose you to the disease so that's something to be aware of. Here's a link with some more info:
http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/u...s&obj=tb.h tm

Nick-H

Well, actually you are!

The mossie is only the means of carrying the disease. It has to have bitten an infected person before it bites you to spread the disease to you.

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

dzibead

Good point. I was thinking that the reference to Tibetans from other areas bringing the disease into Dharamsala implied that they could spread it directly.