Mosquitoes

Two dangerous species of mosquito are the malaria mosquito (Anopheles spec. ) and the Aedes mosquito (Aedes aegypti ). Malaria mosquitoes are present in the Amazon basin. It transmits the parasite species which causes malaria. The Aedes mosquito transmits both dengue and yellow fever.

The malaria mosquito is active from sunset to sunrise. The Aedes mosquito is active at day time. You should always protect yourself and your children well against mosquitoes.

Malaria
Endemic areas of Malaria are found in the Amazon region and in the east of Brazil. Malaria is caused by the plasmodium parasite which is transmitted by the malaria mosquito. This mosquito species needs water for its reproduction. For this reason, malaria is mainly found in areas with a lot of water. Malaria is found less in urban areas.

Malaria can be prevented for a large part by taking prophylactic drugs before, during and after your stay. In addition, you should protect yourself and your children against mosquitoes. Some people suffer more from the side effects than others. In some regions, the parasite causing malaria has become resistant against certain prophylactic drugs. As a consequence of this, it is not always possible to use lighter types of prophylactic drugs.

Most tourists who visit Brazil do not travel to areas where malaria is endemic. Consult your doctor before your travel. If your doctor is not able to tell if you are travelling to a malaria area, he should be able to tell you which specialist or organisation can. It is important to take a prophylactic drug at regular time intervals. When travelling to a malaria area, you will find out that every traveller has a different schedule for taking prophylactic drugs. Many types of good schedules exist and it does not matter what schedule you follow as long as you follow one strictly. In addition, there are many myths about Malaria among tourists. Do not take them serious and do certainly not change your prophylactic drugs schedule without consulting a doctor.

Dengue
Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are two diseases that are caused by the dengue virus. The Aedes mosquito transmits this disease at daytime. This mosquito survives in urban areas as it reproduces in small quantities of standing water like water in old tyres, bromeliads or flowerpots. For this reason, it also occurs in modern city centres.

Characteristics of dengue are fever, headache, joint and muscular pains. Patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever suffer from higher fever and potentially lethal internal bleedings. Drugs like aspirin that cause blood thinning should not be used in areas in which dengue occurs as it increases the risk on potentially lethal internal bleedings. When dengue is suspected, a doctor should be contacted.

Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is transmitted by the same mosquito as dengue: the Aedes mosquito. Characteristics of Yellow Fever are: high fever, jaundice and internal bleedings. There is a vaccine against yellow fever. If you travel to areas were yellow fever occurs, you should vaccinate. In some cases , vaccination is obligatory before entering Brazil.