Traveling to Tanzania – What You Need For Your trip to stay healthy?

Many of you have visited Tanzania or perhaps plan to visit Tanzania in the near future. Tanzania is a country located in East Africa. It is known for Serengeti National Park, Safari, Kilimanjaro National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro which is Africa’s highest Mountain.

If you are planning a trip to Tanzania – either for a Holiday, Adventure, Mission Trip, Business Trip, and for many other reasons – be sure to visit a Travel Vaccination Clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to your departure. There are certain vaccines that require a series of shots – therefore it is in your best interest to ensure that you have the adequate time to complete the series of such vaccines and to ensure that you get the proper immunity for the trip.

Most common vaccinations that are recommended for your trip:

• Cholera
• Influenza
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Pneumococcal (for people over 65 and with those who have chronic medical conditions)
• Rabies
• Shingles (for those who have had Chickenpox during childhood)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

For more information about each of the above vaccines, be sure to visit our Website under “Travel and Non-Travel Vaccinations.”

Yellow Fever

If you have booked your tickets either online or via a travel agency, there’s a conflicting information about the requirements and the recommendations related to Yellow Fever. As per Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Yellow Fever is Generally Not recommended for travelers to Tanzania only. Therefore, Yellow Fever Certification is no longer officially required upon entering to Tanzania. However, the government of Tanzania requires a proof of Yellow Fever upon entering Tanzania if you are traveling from a country of Risk of Yellow Fever. Unfortunately, if you are traveling from a Country of Risk of Yellow and do not have the valid International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever with you at the time of entry, you may be denied entry to Tanzania at the custom border.

Malaria

Have you ever thought about Malaria? Malaria is known to be transmitted by mosquitos and is considered to be infectious disease that may affect humans and other animals caused by a parasite. The statistics on Malaria are as follows: every year, Malaria kills 600,000 people around the world. If you are traveling to Tanzania, you will need to take antimalarial medication preventatively. Antimalarial meds are known to kill the parasites. The choice of antimalarial medications depends on the destination, duration of travel, and your medical history. The common antimalarial meds that are recommended for Tanzania are: Malarone, Doxycycline, or Mefloquine. As you are aware, each of the medications have its own side effects and risks and the safety of taking either one of them needs to be discussed during your Travel Consultation. Malaria is present in Tanzania all throughout the country at an altitude of fewer than 1,800 meters or 5,906 feet. Therefore, if you are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (elevation of 5,895 meters), you may not need to take antimalarial medications; however, it will depend on the duration of your hike.

Altitude Sickness

If you are planning to be at high elevation, you also need to consider taking altitude medication. Altitude sickness happens when there is an insufficient amount of oxygen in the air at high elevations. As a result, you may experience the following symptoms: headache, shortness of breath, nausea, lack of appetite. For more information about the Altitude Sickness, be sure to visit our Website. ABC Travel Clinic dispenses medications on-site during your travel consultation that can either be taken prophylactically or as a treatment for Altitude Illness.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

I am sure you have heard lots of information about Traveler’s Diarrhea. Traveler’s diarrhea is known as one thing that can potentially ruin your trip. As you are aware, it can cause very unpleasant symptoms such as: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and crams along with fever. As a result, you are bound to your bed and cannot enjoy much of your well-deserved trip. However, not to worry as we have a solution for you. During your travel consultation at ABC Travel Clinic, we strongly recommend taking with you Traveler’s Diarrhea Antibiotic. In case if you do get sick during your trip, it will save you an enormous amount of time and money as you will not search for a medical clinic, pharmacy and spend an unnecessary amount of money for your doctor’s visit. You will have antibiotics with you that you will be able to take them if you get sick. Be sure to ask one of your healthcare staff about Traveler’s Diarrhea antibiotics during your travel consultation appointment. For more information about Traveler’s Diarrhea, be sure to visit our Website.

At ABC Travel Clinic, we have all the vaccinations, medications, and other travel kits/necessities on-site that you may need for your trip in order to stay safe and healthy.

Book Online at: www.abctravelclinic.ca or call to book an appointment: 647-242-2177.

Our team of expert health care providers will be more than happy to provide you with EXCELLENT SERVICE and GREAT PRICES.

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References:

Canadian Public Health Services (2017). Malaria information. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/malaria.html

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). Malaria information. Retrieved from: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/malaria

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). Health information for travelers to Tanzania, including Zanzibar traveler view. Retrieved from: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). Infectious diseases related to travel.  Retrieved from: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever-malaria-information-by-country

Government of Canada (2017). Travellers’ Diarrhea Information. Retrieved from:https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/diseases/diarrhea

National Health Service (2017). Altitude sickness information. Retrieved from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Altitude-sickness/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Public Health Agency of Canada (2017). Altitude sickness publication. Retrieved from:http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/07vol33/acs-05/index-eng.php

Public Health Agency of Canada (2017). Tanzania. Retrieved from: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/countries-pays/country-pays-eng.php?id=284

World Health Organization (2017). The United Republic of Tanzania. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/apoc/countries/tza/en/