Update # 19: Reminder on Malaria Prevention: 2026 XUNICEF REUNION VICTORIA FALLS

Dear Participants 

With just about 5 weeks more to go before our reunion, we are sending the below reminder on malaria prevention.  

MALARIA PREVENTION:

CDC recommends that travellers going to Zimbabwe take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Drug resistance: Chloroquine

Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2.

Updated April 23, 2025

Chemoprophylaxis for malaria involves the use of specific medications to prevent malaria infection, particularly for travellers to endemic areas and vulnerable populations. 

Recommended Medications: 

1. Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone):

• Dosage: Start 1 - 2 days before travel, continue daily during travel, and for 7 days after leaving the malaria-endemic area.  Adults: 1 adult tablet daily.
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2. Chloroquine:

• Used in areas where malaria is known to be sensitive to this drug. The regimen typically involves starting the medication 1-2 weeks before travel and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving the area. 
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3. Doxycycline:

• Taken daily, starting 1- 2 days before travel and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-endemic area.  It is effective against all strains of malaria. 
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4. Primaquine:

• Particularly effective for preventing relapses of Plasmodium vivax malaria. It is usually administered after the initial treatment of acute malaria. 

  
  Cheers - Susan