What anti malarial do you recommend if any for travel in Belize and Guatemala?

Thanks

Your chances of contracting malaria in Belize are slim to none and in fact, incidences of malaria have decreased vastly over the past few yrs.

We didn't take any. Our doctor didn't recommend anything other than a Hepatitis shot for going to Central America. We did use mosquito repellent though.

Malaria isn't very common in Belize. I can't speak for Guatemala.

We did take anti-malarials on a recent trip to Nicaragua.

I would recommend getting your advice from a physician who is qualified in travel medicine. Many local physicians are pretty clueless.....

On the contrary, our Belizean docs are better informed regarding local heath issues, including incidences of malaria and if its a threat to be concerned with

I'm sorry Katie, I meant local docs in the US. Guess I was my usual unclear self. I'm sure most of the docs in Belize know far more about malaria than those in the US.

linkru,

If you want to know which antimalarial to take, do not seek medical advice on a travel forum -- doctors do not give advice on forums!

If you want some facts about malaria, I can provide some from the Pan American Health Organization and my own experience as a Technical Advisor on a Vector Management Program...

The number of cases of malaria in Belize has fallen significantly over the past several years, from more than 1000 cases per year prior to 2006 to less than 100 per year in the past two years -- 79 cases in 2011 and 33 cases in 2012 (up to 1 November, and 25 of those 33 were in Stann Creek District).

You decision to use prophylactics basically depends on where you intend to travel and your level of risk. San Pedro would be lower risk than small remote villages in the south of the country.

Some of the ways you can reduce the risk: sleeping in screened rooms, covering up during peak biting times, wearing repellent and removing any standing water which provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The other disease you should be aware of is dengue fever. It is transmitted by some species of mosquito, and since there is no prophylactic, it's more important that prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes and limiting exposure to bites.

The number of dengue cases has varied greatly over the years because dengue cases tend to arise from outbreaks. In most years, the number of cases per year is less than 50, but in 2005, 2009 & 2010, cases numbered in the several hundreds. If I remember correctly, outbreaks have occurred in Caye Caulker, Corozal, Orange Walk as well as other regions of Belize, so this is a disease that does not just occur in smaller remote villages. Since 1998, there have been no deaths from dengue.

If you want the statistics for Guatemala, go to the PAHO website.