Malaria in Angola

The number of deaths due to malaria in Angola has decreased over the past few years and there is now a 10% infection rate in the country. Children under the age of five and pregnant women are the most at risk in Angola and at one point it was estimated that one in four children under the age of five die from malaria. There are around 10,000 deaths per year and the government is working on lowering this number.

Malaria is a risk throughout Angola, more so in the rural areas as it was found that children in rural areas were fourteen times more likely to get malaria than those living in urban areas. Therefore, malaria tablets are recommended no matter where you go in the country. Chloroquine will not be effective in this country as Chloroquine resistance is wide spread throughout Africa and Angola is just one of the countries where this anti-malarial will not work.

Mefloquine, Doxycycline or Malarone are usually prescribed for Angola and no matter where you go, you will need to take these tablets. Make sure that you complete your full course of anti-malarials and take them as instructed to ensure the maximum protection against malaria. The malaria tablets are not 100% effective at preventing malaria so you will also need to avoid being bitten and there are a few measures in order to do so.  You need to sleep in an air-conditioned room if possible but if this is not an option, you will need to sleep in a mosquito net. This reduces the risk of being bitten by stopping the mosquitoes from coming into contact with your skin. Cover up as much skin as possible during dusk and the night and stay indoors during the night. Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible and apply insect repellent when you venture outdoors.

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