TL;DR: Take malaria seriously from day one: prophylaxis per medical advice, yellow fever certificate for entry, routine boosters current, plus nightly net + repellent + screened-sleep discipline. Prevention costs little; treatment costs trips.
What shots do you need?
Yellow fever: certificate often required at entry - carry it. Routine: MMR, DTaP/Tdap, polio current. Consider: typhoid, hepatitis A/B, meningitis (belt season), rabies (animal exposure risk). Confirm with a travel clinic 6-8 weeks pre-departure - some series need spacing.
What is the malaria strategy?
Prophylaxis choice is personal-medical (resistance, tolerance, duration) - decide with your doctor, not forums. Layer: treated nets, evening repellent, screened bedrooms, drained compounds, AC (mosquitoes dislike cool sealed rooms). Test fevers early - rapid tests are widely available; severe malaria punishes delay.
How do kids change the calculus?
Paediatric dosing, school-trip prophylaxis continuity, and net discipline as non-negotiable routine. Brief schools on your child's plan and keep emergency antimalarials only as doctor-directed backup.
Key takeaways
- Certificate, prophylaxis, boosters - before the flight.
- Nets + repellent + screens: every night, no exceptions.
- Fever means test-first, fast.
Frequently asked questions
Do long-stayers still need prophylaxis?
Medical advice varies by profile - many transition to bite-avoidance + early treatment; decide with your doctor.
Are vaccines available locally?
Yes at private facilities and public campaigns - but arrive covered, then boost locally.
What about water-borne illness?
Treated/filtered drinking water only; street-food wisdom (hot, fresh, busy stalls) applies.
Sources: GDAAR; travel-medicine guidance; returnee practice.
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