Prevalent Diseases
Though it is unlikely to fall seriously ill while in The Gambia, using common sense and taking the proper precautions with your health are strongly recommended. Precautions such as practicing safe sex, getting vaccinations if applicable, and taken medications needed such as anti-malarials.
The most likely hazards that will occur are stomach problems and sunburn, however, please do read all of the information below and do visit a travel clinic before you begin your travels to The Gambia.
For more information on health you can also visit www.who.int
Note: The information below is for reference only, describing some of the prevalent diseases in The Gambia. Please see a Doctor and visit a travel clinic for professional expertise, and proper care should be taken if any health problems occur. Though vaccinations and treatments are available for some of the diseases below, prevention should be the main priority as not all vaccinations and treatments are a guarantee, especially depending on the severity of each case.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
Adult HIV prevalence in The Gambia was about 2.4% in 2005 (UNAIDS), which is relatively low in comparison to many other African nations. However, serious precautions should nevertheless be taken.
- caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), acquired directly from infected persons, either by sexual contact, exchange of blood or body fluids or from mother to child.
- symptoms are primarily the result of conditions that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. Most of these conditions are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that are normally controlled by the elements of the immune system that HIV damages.
- no vaccination and no treatment to cure HIV and AIDS is available. Avoiding exposure to the virus is the only prevention.
Cholera
- acquired by ingesting contaminated drinking water or food, in particular fish and shellfish, raw fruit and vegetables.
- symptoms include diarrhoea which can lead to dehydration and further complications.
- vaccination is available.
- treatment is available via antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and various re-hydration procedures.
Hepatitis A
- acquired from infected persons by the faecal-oral route (germs from the faeces of an infected person contaminate the food and water drunk by another) or by prolonged close contact.
- symptoms include fever, malaise, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice.
- vaccination is available.
- treatment is available via antivirals.
Hepatitis B
- acquired directly from infected persons by unprotected sexual contact, prolonged close contact, the transfer of blood, or sharing needles.
- symptoms include fever, malaise, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice.
- vaccination is available.
- treatment is available via antivirals.
Malaria
Malaria is a common and life-threatening disease in many tropical and subtropical areas, including The Gambia. It is currently endemic in over 100 countries, which are visited by more than 125 million international travellers every year. Fever occurring in a traveller within 1 year of leaving a malaria-endemic area is potentially a medical emergency and should be investigated urgently.
- acquired through the malaria parasite Plasmodium that is transmitted by various species of Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite mainly between sunset and sunrise. There are four types of human malaria: Plasmodium falciparum, P.vivax, P.malariae, and P.ovale. P.falciparum and P.vivax are the most common. P.falciparum is by far the most deadly type of malaria infection.
- symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscular aching and weakness, vomiting, cough, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain and appear 7 to 15 days after a person is infected.
- no vaccination is available, therefore prevention via anti-malarials, also known as prophylaxis (Malarone, doxycycline, and Lariam, for example) sleeping under a mosquito net, and wearing insect repellent are of utmost importance.
- treatment is available by taking certain prescribed anti-malarials.
Do I really need to take anti-malarials, even if I'm staying for only a week?
Malaria is very common in The Gambia, any time of year and throughout the country. Some visitors choose not to take any anti-malarials, whether they are here for a short period of time or for an extended period of time, and for a variety of reasons. It is highly recommended to take anti-malarials, however, if you decide not to, be sure to have any flu-like symptoms checked out either in The Gambia or back in your home country (in which case you need to mention to your doctor that you have been in a malaria zone). This should be done for at least a year after your possible exposure to malaria. If you plan on further travel after your visit to The Gambia and you find yourself in rural areas with no medical services nearby then be sure to carry in your first-aid kit malaria treatment (as prescribed and discussed with your doctor).
Why do mosquitoes bite?
Only female mosquitoes bite as they require a blood meal to acquire the protein needed to produce eggs. Females lay multiple batches of eggs during their lifespan and a new blood meal is needed to produce each batch.
Why do mosquitoes seem to bite some people, but not others?
Mosquitoes are attracted by the carbon dioxide that we - and other animals - exhale. They may also be attracted by various odours - perfume, perspiration, lactic acid, detergents - that combine in unique ways to make one victim more attractive than another as a meal. Because dark colours absorb heat and lighter colours tend to reflect heat, mosquitoes also tend to be more attracted to victims dressed in darker clothes.
Why do mosquito bites itch and swell?
The itching, swelling, and burning from a mosquito bite are actually caused by the body's auto-immune response to the saliva injected by the mosquito when she feeds. This saliva contains anti-coagulating agents that prevent the victim's blood from clotting as it is sucked into the mosquito's abdomen. A bite may take several days to heal and stop itching. Treat it with Calamine lotion or a topical anti-itch medication.
Why is DEET (a chemical added to insect repellents) effective?
DEET blocks insect receptors (notably those which detect carbon dioxide and lactic acid) which are used to locate hosts. DEET "blinds" the insect's senses so the biting/feeding instinct is not triggered by humans or animals which produce these chemicals. Although DEET is an approved chemical, other alternatives are available, though they are not as effective. Alternatives such as the use of various oils like citronella oil and catnip oil are common.
Meningitis
- acquired directly from infected persons by the faecal-oral route or through aerosol transmission (sneezing, coughing) and respiratory droplets from the nose and pharynx of infected persons or healthy carriers.
- many infected people become asymptomatic (no symptoms) carriers of the bacteria and serve as a reservoir and source of infection for others. Meningococcal meningitis has a sudden onset of intense headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and stiff neck, plus various neurological signs.
- vaccination is available.
- treatment is available via antivirals, antibiotics, and others, depending on the condition.
Rabies
- acquired usually from being bitten by an infected mammal (dogs, cats, and monkeys, for example), though transmission may also occur from being licked or scratched by an infected mammal.
- symptoms progress rapidly from fever, headache, paralysis, bouts of terror and aggression to coma and death.
- vaccination is available.
- treatment is available, however, not once symptoms have started (any time from four days to two years after being exposed).
Typhoid fever
- acquired by ingesting contaminated drinking water or food. Occasionally direct faecal-oral transmission (germs from the faeces of an infected person contaminate the food and water drunk by another) may occur.
- Severe cases are characterized by gradual onset of fever, headache, constipation or diarrhoea, malaise, anorexia and insomnia.
- vaccination is available.
- treatment is available via antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin.
Yellow fever
- acquired by the bite of infective Aedes mosquitoes. The mosquitoes bite during daylight hours.
- Although some infections are asymptomatic (no symptoms), most lead to an acute illness characterized by two phases. Initially, there is fever, muscular pain, headache, chills, anorexia, nausea and/or vomiting. About 15% of patients progress to a second phase after a few days, with resurgence of fever, development of jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting and haemorrhagic manifestations; half of these patients die 10-14 days after onset of illness.
- vaccination is available.
- no treatment to cure is available.
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