I may be birding the Napo region of Ecuador in February. i saw on another thread that the "western" bird guides do not do malarial prophylaxis. I can't stand taking malarone or the other malaria preventatives and wondered if anyone knows how safe it is to visit Sacha, Napo Wildlife Center, La Selva or Yaturi without taking the pills.
On my last visit to Darien in Panama we found out that the guides don't do malarial prophylaxis there as the nearest reported malaria cases are 200 miles away.
BA
Travax is the Scottish website that health professionals use and the same advice is generally available to the general public. Here's what it says about Ecuador today
Malaria is widespread throughout the year below 1500m, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas in the north and east of the country. Serious malaria occurs to the east of the Andes in the Napo and Pastaza river valleys and also to the west of the Andes in the river plains of Esmeraldas and neighbouring Manabi provinces. There is very low to no risk in Guayaquil, Quito or Galapagos Islands (go to the Malaria Map).
Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually recommended.
If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.
I suggest you discuss this with your GP(most have a travel clinic) or local travel clinic(you may have to pay).
