* Health & safety
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.
Visiting Kenya
Health & Safety
