Small Children in Namibia..Malaria Risk in May? | Namibia - Lonely Planet Forum

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Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:44:43 +0000

Hi all. Sorry to put one more regarding children..I'm just not convinced yet.
I intend to travel to Namibia in mid May for two weeks with a 3 year old and 1 and half. I really want to go to Etosha but I've read of the Malaria Risk.(apparently not too big in May)
Should I really avoid it or with the proper precautions still do it with children as young as mine?
My kids are used to long drives so that's not a problem and we'll be carrying enough food and distractions for them...so my only concern so far is the Malaria Risk. What would be the recomended drug to take?
Would the rest of the country be ok in terms of malaria?
Last thing....Would it be easy to find nappies and so on in wind Windhoek or should I carry all my stuff with me since Ireland?

Any help is appreciated.

Cheers.

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Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:48:03 +0000

The fact that it is a risk is worry enough.

Personally I'd go to your doctor & talk through options with him; or find a doctor who specialises in tropical diseases who might be better referenced than your family one ...

Can't answer the nappy question, sorry! But I would think you'll find them in Windhoek

Kira

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Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:35:41 +0000

http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/malariamaps/namibia.htm

I agree with the First Lady about consulting a doctor.

I am sure you will be able to find nappies in Windhoek.

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Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:02:29 +0000

First Lady--love it!!

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Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:12:07 +0000

OK you two simmer down!

Kira

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Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:41:38 +0000

Rudi calls 'em as he sees 'em.

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Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:48:06 +0000

As the others have said, talk to a doctor. In the meantime though, here are a few other thoughts that might be relevant:

Your 18 month-old may be too small physically to be able to handle anti-malarials. You can get stuff like paediatric Malarone but below a certain body weight, it's not usable. Your doc will be able to tell you this, of course.

Risk is directly related to the amount of time you spend in the area. A couple of days in Etosha is, clearly, going to be much less risky than a couple of weeks.

Anywhere south of Etosha is considered malaria-free so if you base your itinerary around this, you will be able to minimise the risk still further and still have a great, great holiday.

Even in Etosha, much will depend on the quality of your accommodation. Air-conditioned hotel rooms with snug-fitting windows and mossie nets over the bed are much less risky than camping, for example.

Whatever you choose, you can minimise the risk still further by observing all the other precautions too, eg burn coils at night, slather your children from head to foot in bug spray, cover their extremities with trousers, long-sleeved shirts and so on.

All of this is of course dependent on your own appetite for risk. You can make informed choices but your children cannot. Personally, I wouldn't be put off but that's me, not you.

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