Medical Preparation for Africa

Medical Preparation for Africa
Charles Leonard Black, M.D., F.A.C.E.P.

The enormous landmass and diversity of climates of Africa, as well as the multitude illnesses one may encounter there, make it necessary to divide the continent into regions to better cover the subject. However, even with division of Africa into regions, it is impossible to cover every disease that might be encountered in the African bush. Therefore, I will intend to cover the major and most frequently encountered diseases only. By necessity there will be some overlap among the different regions, so as to make each section as complete as possible for the benefit of those who will consult only a single section in preparation for a hunt. 
As always, you have to consult your physician, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or a similar agency in your own country, and your outfitter (PH) for information on specific countries, areas and possible outbreaks of diseases. You can obtain up-to-date information from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia the world’s leading authority on infectious disease and its prevention.
The CDC has extensive information on its Website: http://www.cdc.gov/travel .
Always consult your own physician before taking any medications, prescriptions or over-the-counter remedy, especially those you intent to take with you to Africa. Keep in mind that certain medications may react very differently from individual to individual (the Malaria medicine Fansidar being an excellent example). A competent physician must always be consulted to prescribe medication suitable for your individual needs.*

* This information is so important that we need to reiterate. In all cases it is imperative to consult your physician before taking any medication. The author and publisher do not recommend any medication described in this text for any individual.