Dear Parents, Campers, and Staff,
Regarding preventative medicine in Haiti, this is what I elected to do this year. I visited a Medical Travel Clinic in Kerrville, and they referenced what the CDC website recommended. I received doses of Hepatitus A and B (most kids already have this) and I received vaccines for Yellow Fever and Typhoid. Regarding Malaria, I was given a prescription of Malarone, an anti-malarial drug, which is taken two days before traveling, every day while there, and several days upon return. This is the prescription we used last year with no negative side effects. For all questions about vaccines, please ask your family doctor or travel specialist.
Last year, we did not experience any major illnesses or diseases related to the above paragraph. However, I decided to be pro-active in my health care. Please know that some health plans may not cover vaccines because traveling to a foreign country is considered a choice. Both vaccinations that I received were administered at approximately $80 each.
Jacob’s Well now has a water purification system in place, and Ang and I drank from the system with no complications. Our restroom/toilet/shower facilities are Americanized and clean, and there should be no health concerns that stem from sanitation.
One last suggestion would be to ask your doctor for prescriptions for bacterial infections (Cipro) and for nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Several members of the team suffered from travelers diarrhea last year, and it was most likely from ingesting water from the showers or adjusting to the food in Haiti (which is really good). I also recommend that each person brings two bottles of gatorade just in case they experience these symptoms and need some quick rehydration!
If you need further explanation, please call me.
Sincerely,
Kevin Mayne
