The question of whether to take prophylaxis or not rages on and on with no clear answer. Nevertheless, it is interesting to read the many opinions and to learn some important information about the disease.

The very nature of forums is anecdotal but when it comes to health matters I think one must be especially careful before using such information to make health-related decisions. I am suspect of statistics that cite one ‘reported’ or ‘confirmed’ case in long time periods. What about the unreported and unconfirmed cases? What are the sources of the information? Is the information from well-documented scientific studies or from affected parties (e.g., private reserves or lodges)? If cases of malaria are rarely seen in visitors to private reserves, Sabi Sand for example, has anyone ever evaluated whether that reflects, to any extent, many or most of the visitors taking prophylaxis?

In the end, I’m with those who recommend consulting with their personal or travel medicine doctor to reach an informed decision.

Sdb2 - good point about the source of information as it effects what I wrote above too. I don't know the exact source of my information. It is quite anectodal I must admit.

To anyone that reads my profile it is obvious that I am a travel consultant that specializes in safaris. My company has a tour operator insurance policy from Berkely that actually forbids anyone at our company from dispensing medical advice such as the information on this forum. We are reuired to have our clients contact their doctor or the CDC web site before traveling to South Africa for medical advice. 100% of the time these two sources (doctors and CDC) will advice the traveler to take Malaria medication.

Craig Beal

Safari_Craig - your company has a very sensible policy it is a shame that Fodors does not adopt that same policy!
I have travelled extensively to many malarial areas in Africa, Asia and South America and have contracted malaria once and was hospitalised for 10 days. It was not a pleasant experience and one thta I would try to avoid if at all possible!
There is an oft used saying "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" and precious little real knowledge has been demonstrated in this thread.
I do wonder how some of you posting would feel if a fellow forum member did contract malaria as a result of following your advice...The only sensible option is to seek advice from a specialist travel physician.

Some posters advised on "advise from a travel clinic/doctor".

Frankly - I would never just listen to travel clinics/doctors! We have made our decision based on experiences, research and than came to the conclusion.

It's not only since I have read here on fodors that a travel clinic advised an American (or was it Canadian?) to take the water to AfricaI heavily doubt any of their qualification which mostly is based on reading books (can do that myself) and listening to weird stories told by pharmaceutical consultants!

Of course anybody makes his/her own decision.

And crell - if one reads, researches and comes to the conclusion to NOT take prophylaxis I could live with it.

It's the luck of the drwa - with or without drugs but without drugs one is more aware and takes other precautions seriously.

All cases here (cvery few!) swallowed prophylaxis and got it.

Evaluation and commons sense - not only in view to malaria - should always have priority. ;-)

SV

There sure have been some strange comments coming out of Travel Clinic personnel... "take water to Africa" a perfect example. As SV mentions, many have never left their home country or visited a specific destination and "go by the book" but are still a resource.

It comes down to the individual traveler/s searching out the info - there's plenty to be found - and discussing with their personal physician or tropical diseases specialist, based on their own health history and then making the decision best for them.

None of us here, regardless our own experiences, decisions or anecdotal tales, can make a decision for and which is the responsibility of the traveler.

hmmmm...... very interesting topic I have been following !