Malaria Is Very Rare In Santa Marta
A Few Easy Steps And Your Worry Free.

Malaria along with Cholera and Yellow Fever are among of the most worrisome types of sickness in South America but in fact can be prevented.

For the latest and best information see
Center for Disease Control, Health information for Travelers to Colombia .

I travel to and from Colombia along the Caribbean coast from Cartagena to Santa Marta often and this disease is just not a great concern, that being said preventing it is much better than needing a cure, so if you do what's advised by the CDC linked above you will be okay.

The Center for Disease Control rates the risk level for Colombia as low.

How It's Spread

A mosquito bites an infected carrier, picks up the malaria parasite from its blood, now the mosquito is a carrier, the mosquito then bites you and if you are not protected you may now have it. In 10 to 15 days you start having symptoms

FIRST SYMPTOMS
Fever, muscle pain, headache, anorexia, chills, intense cold-reddened eyes, palpitations, may last 8 to 15 days.

SECOND CYCLE
Fever every 48 hours, feeling sick, loss of energy, stomach inflammation, kidney and liver problems, coughing, being sick to your stomach.

Buy the recommended medicine before traveling from trusted sources, so you get the real product and not a counterfeit.

Tests

• glucose blood test
• urine test
• bilirubin test
• urea and creatinine test

Prevention

• pills
• insect repellent
• long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• a net above your bed
• make sure open windows have screens
• air conditioned

Drugs Recommended for treatment in Colombia

• Atovaquone/proguanil
• doxycycline
• mefloquine

Note
A new drug against its spread has been developed by Dr. Manuel Elking Patarrollo, a Colombian scientist who discovered this vaccine is said to be 95% effective, it's now going through testing.

Disclaimer: I am not a health professional, only a fun professional and give my opinions based on my lazy days in Santa Marta, in the sun and on the beach.

Return from Malaria to Travel Information

Return To Santa Marta Travel Guide