Is It Safe To Visit Zanzibar When Expecting A Child?

From 1 October 2024, travelers must have a mandatory travel insurance policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation for entry into Tanzania. The latest vaccine recommendations for Tanzania include staying alert to changing weather conditions and adjusting plans accordingly. Travelers with a positive COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test can isolate themselves at their residences for 14 days or more until they test negative using RT-PCR tests.

Zanzibar is generally safe for families, solo female travelers, and American tourists, but additional precautions are necessary. The U.S. travel advisory rates Tanzania at Level 2, meaning it’s generally okay to visit, but with a high degree of caution. When traveling to Zanzibar, opt for the high-speed ferry service.

Female tourists are mostly safe, especially those with some traveling experience, but women should take precautions such as not walking. Zanzibar is considered safe to visit, with low levels of violent crime reported. However, travelers should avoid all non-essential travel to tropical destinations during pregnancy, particularly those with a risk of diseases such as malaria, zika virus, or poliovirus.

Pregnant women are not allowed to take malaria prevention drugs and are cautioned before entering any malaria area. Travelers to Tanzania are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus. Vaccine recommendations include adults traveling to Tanzania who received a complete polio vaccine. If pregnant, do not travel to areas with Zika risk, use insect repellent, and take other precautions.

Is Zanzibar safe for a baby?

The author advises against taking an infant to Zanzibar due to its high malaria prevalence, which is one of the largest African fatalities.

What are the risks of going to Zanzibar?

Non-Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Tanzania include African Sleeping Sickness, Tsetse fly bite, Bug Bites, African Tick-Bite Fever, tick bite, Chikungunya, and Mosquito bite. Vaccines cannot protect against many diseases, so behaviors are crucial. To prevent bug bites, cover exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats, use insect repellent, use permethrin-treated clothing and gear, stay in air-conditioned or screened rooms, and use a bed net if sleeping in exposed areas. Avoid contaminated water, mosquito bites, tick bites, and flea bites to stay healthy and safe during your trip.

What are the odds of getting malaria in Zanzibar?

A study conducted in Zanzibar between May 2017 and October 2018 aimed to understand travel patterns between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar and the risk of malaria infection. The survey involved households of patients diagnosed with malaria at health facilities and tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests and quantitative PCR (qPCR). The study found that travelers to mainland Tanzania were more likely to be infected with malaria parasites than those traveling within Zanzibar or to other countries.

Among travelers to mainland Tanzania, those visiting highly endemic districts had a higher odds of being qPCR-positive than those who travelled only to districts where malaria-endemicity was classified as low or very low. Additionally, 110/378 never or only sometimes used a mosquito net during their travel. This study suggests that understanding travel patterns between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar could help control malaria importation to the region.

Is there Zika in Zanzibar?

Tanzania is facing a Zika virus risk, with no specific areas affected. Current outbreaks will be reported on the outbreak surveillance database, but no specific details are available.

What trimester of pregnancy is the Zika virus?

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects of the brain or eye, resulting in congenital Zika syndrome. These defects can occur alone or with developmental issues. Not all babies born with congenital Zika syndrome will have all conditions, and some may develop microcephaly later. Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected, and babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that may not have developed properly. Some babies may appear healthy at birth but may develop long-term health problems as they grow.

What countries should I avoid when pregnant?

Pregnant women should avoid traveling to areas with high malaria risk, such as Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, as they may experience symptoms like fever, chills, headache, and nausea and vomiting. If you have further questions, consult your ob-gyn. This information is an educational aid for the public, offering current information and opinions related to women’s health, but it is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ complete disclaimer is also provided.

Can you travel to Tanzania while pregnant?

Pregnancy can be a time of increased risk for both mother and unborn baby due to the increased risk of severe diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, and yellow fever. It is recommended to avoid non-essential travel to tropical destinations during pregnancy, especially those with high risks of these diseases. Women should also take maternity notes with them, including information about pre-existing medical conditions and blood group, in case of medical care needs during travel. Postponing non-essential travel to areas with ongoing high risk of Zika virus transmission is also advised.

Is Zanzibar safe for pregnant woman?

Malaria tablets are recommended for those in Zanzibar, as the area is in a malaria zone. Pregnant women are not allowed to take malaria prevention drugs and should be cautious before entering any malaria area. Mosquitoes, like vampires, prefer night conditions, so it is important to wear insect/mosquito repellent and cover exposed areas. Wearing trousers at night and long-sleeved shirts outdoors is recommended, and smearing/spraying arms with repellent is advised for short-sleeved shirts. A mosquito net should be either touching the ground or tucked in at night.

Currency is accepted at hotels and Bureau de Changes, with US$ being the preferred currency. Large bills, such as $50 or $100, can often get better rates. Avoid going to the first bureau at the airport, hotels, and resorts, as they usually have the worst exchange rates. If taking a taxi into town, pay the fare in US$ and go to a bureau in town, as there are many available and it is possible to negotiate a better rate.

When should I avoid Zanzibar?

Zanzibar offers a beautiful Indian Ocean beach holiday with an average of 30 days of sunshine per year. However, it’s best to visit during the dry season from mid June to mid October, as the days are mostly sunny and pleasant. April and May should be avoided, and November is likely due to a burst in rainfall. The best times to visit outside of the dry season are January and February, with slightly less chance of rain in February.

December and March may see some showers, but more of the day can still be pleasant. Going in November, March, and December is a gamble, and Zanzibar should be avoided in April and May unless you prefer rainy beaches and plenty of sunshine.

Can you go to Kenya when pregnant?

Pregnant women should postpone non-essential travel to the country and use contraception and condoms during travel. Risk is higher during floods, natural disasters, poor sanitation, and lack of clean drinking water. Humanitarian aid workers, those in refugee camps or slums, and those caring for cholera are at higher risk. Travel to countries with hepatitis A or poor personal hygiene and sanitation is also more risky.

How common is malaria in Tanzania during pregnancy?

The study focuses on the prevalence, severity, factors influencing treatment outcomes of malaria in pregnancy, and day 7 plasma concentrations of lumefantrine (LF) in pregnant women. Over 1. 7 million pregnant women in Tanzania mainland are susceptible to malaria infection per year, with the overall prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women residing in Lake zone regions being 12. 2. The study used a one-arm prospective cohort study, where 89 pregnant women with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria receiving artemether-lumefantrine (ALu) participated in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics study.

Blood samples were collected on days 0, 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 for malaria parasite quantification, and LF plasma concentrations were determined on day 7. The primary outcome measure was an adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) after treatment with ALu.

Over 93 of the Tanzania mainland population lives in areas where malaria is endemic, with high levels of transmission in Lake zone regions, coastal regions, and southern lowlands. Despite a declining malaria prevalence, malaria cases range between 10-12 million annually and is still a leading cause of outpatient, inpatient, and hospital deaths with 60-80 thousands estimated deaths per year. Pregnant women and children under 5 years of age are at high risk for malaria infections, with the adverse effects of Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnancy being most pronounced for women in their first pregnancy.