Chad

What Is It?

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Malaria is present in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Symptoms may range from absent or mild to severe disease and even death.

How is it Acquired?

There are about 380 types of the mosquito that spread malaria, and about 60 of these types prefer biting humans. The mosquitos that spread malaria are most active between sunset and sunrise, and depending on the type, bite indoors or outdoors. Environmental conditions play a role in the spread of malaria because they affect the number of mosquitos present and their survival. In many places, the spread of malaria is seasonal, peaking during and just after the rainy season.

Signs and Symptoms

Malaria is characterized by high fever. Other symptoms of malaria include:

• Chills
• Sweats
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Body aches
• A general feeling of discomfort

Precautions to Take

Avoiding mosquito bites may prove difficult, especially between sunset and sunrise when the mosquitos that spread malaria are most active. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to help minimize mosquito bites, such as:

• Sleeping in a room with window/door screens
• Using air conditioning
• Using mosquito repellent on bare skin
• Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, socks, and shoes
• Treating clothes and shoes with mosquito repellent
• Using a mosquito net treated with mosquito repellent over the bed

What Is It?

Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. Typhoid fever is found in most parts of the world (except industrialized regions); travelers are especially prone in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

How is it Acquired?

Consuming contaminated food and water increases chance of infection. Another source of typhoid fever infection includes contaminated water that is used for drinking or washing/preparing food. Typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where routine handwashing is not practiced and water treatment is not to standard.

Signs and Symptoms

With typhoid fever, some people may only have a fever that comes on gradually but increases over the first week of illness. Others may have additional flu-like symptoms, including:

• Headache
• Inability to eat
• Muscle pain
• General feeling of discomfort
• Mild confusion
• Non-productive cough
• Diarrhea • Constipation
• Abdominal pain

Precautions to Take

Some typhoid fever precautions include:

• Only drinking and using safe water for all your activities
• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Eating food that is cooked and served hot
• Only eating fruits and vegetables that have been washed in clean water and that you peeled yourself

What Is It?

Yellow fever is caused by a virus. Yellow fever is present in tropical areas of the world, such as Central and South America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Some countries require yellow fever vaccination prior to entry. Check specific requirements for your destination

How is it Acquired?

Mosquitos that carry the yellow fever virus are found in multiple environments throughout the day and night. The location and length of travel, vaccination status, and types of occupational and recreational activities one participates in also determine a person’s likelihood for mosquito exposure and getting yellow fever.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms While yellow fever symptoms can be mild, some people develop severe disease. For those who do, the signs and symptoms of yellow fever include:

• Sudden onset of fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Backache
• Muscle pain
• Extreme physical weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Precautions to Take

Some options include:

• Staying in buildings that have window and door screens to help keep mosquitos out
• Using air conditioning
• Using mosquito repellent on bare skin
• Treating clothes and shoes with mosquito repellent
• Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, socks, and shoes
• Use a mosquito net treated with mosquito repellent over the bed