Risk is absent in most of the country; risk exists only in specified areas:
Travellers must take malaria suppressive medication when visiting the city of Praia in São Tiago, where risk is present. Take meticulous anti-mosquito bite measures in all other areas of the country.
High risk months for Malaria are: August to November
Incidence of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria: >99%
Of the five species of human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous. The remaining percentage represents malaria infections that may be caused by one or more of the following parasites: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi.
Areas with drug resistant Malaria: Multidrug resistant P. falciparum malaria is present in all malarious areas of Cabo Verde. The antimalarial medications listed below are effective for this country.
All malaria infections are serious illnesses and must be treated as a medical emergency. In offering guidance on the choice of antimalarial drugs, the main concern is to provide protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the most dangerous and often fatal form of the illness.
Regardless of the medication which has been taken, it is of utmost importance for travellers and their physician to consider fever and flu-like symptoms appearing 7 days up to several months after leaving a malarious area as a malaria breakthrough. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment.
In addition to the suggested antimalarial medication, use a mosquito bed net and effective repellents to avoid the bite of the nocturnal
Anopheles mosquito.
TAKE IN WEEKLY DOSES OF 500 mg (300 mg base).
START 1 WEEK BEFORE ENTERING MALARIOUS AREA, CONTINUE WEEKLY DURING YOUR STAY AND CONTINUE FOR 4 WEEKS AFTER LEAVING. TAKE IT AFTER A MEAL TO AVOID STOMACH UPSETS.
Note: The bitter taste makes the drug unpalatable. Minor stomach upsets, itching skin, nausea and diarrhea may occur. It may also cause blurred vision and a transitory headache.
TAKE IN WEEKLY DOSES OF 400 mg (310 mg base).
START 1 WEEK BEFORE ENTERING MALARIOUS AREA, CONTINUE WEEKLY DURING YOUR STAY AND CONTINUE FOR 4 WEEKS AFTER LEAVING.
Note: An alternative to chloroquine that may be better tolerated.
Brand names: Malarone, Malanil and others; generics available.
TAKE 1 TABLET DAILY (ATOVAQUONE 250 mg + PROGUANIL 100 mg).
START 1-2 DAYS BEFORE ENTERING THE MALARIOUS AREA, CONTINUE DAILY DURING YOUR STAY AND CONTINUE FOR 7 DAYS AFTER LEAVING.
Note: Take at the same time every day with food or milk.
Brand names: Vibramycin and others; generics available.
TAKE 1 TABLET DAILY (100 mg).
START 1 DAY BEFORE ENTERING MALARIOUS AREA, CONTINUE DAILY DURING YOUR STAY AND CONTINUE FOR 4 WEEKS AFTER LEAVING.
Note: When taking this drug, avoid exposure to direct sunlight and use sunscreen with protection against long range ultraviolet radiation (UVA) to minimize risk of photosensitive reaction. Take with large amounts of water to prevent esophageal and stomach irritation.
Brand names: Lariam, Mephaquin, Mefliam and others; generics available.
TAKE 1 TABLET OF 250 mg (228 mg base) ONCE A WEEK.
START 1-2 WEEKS BEFORE ENTERING THE MALARIOUS AREA, CONTINUE WEEKLY DURING YOUR STAY AND CONTINUE FOR 4 WEEKS AFTER LEAVING.
Note: Side effects include nausea and headache, including neurological side effects such as dizziness, ringing of the ears, and loss of balance. Psychiatric side effects include anxiety, depression, mistrustfulness, and hallucinations. Neurological side effects can occur any time during use and can last for long periods of time or become permanent even after the drug is stopped. Seek medical advice if any neurological or psychiatric side effects occur.
TAKE 1 TABLET DAILY OF 52.6 mg (30 mg base).
START 1-2 DAYS BEFORE ENTERING THE MALARIOUS AREA, CONTINUE DAILY DURING YOUR STAY AND CONTINUE FOR 7 DAYS AFTER LEAVING.
Note: This medication is only recommended for travellers on short term trips to areas where P. vivax Malaria is predominant. Primaquine is also used to treat relapses of P. vivax Malaria.
Primaquine is contraindicated for persons with G6PD (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency. Screening for G6PD levels must be done prior to prescribing/using this drug.
When you have reached the point where you no longer expect a response, you will at last be able to give in such a way that the other is able to receive and be grateful. - Dag Hammarskjöld
