Malaria risk in Khartoum

Malaria is a serious disease spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It causes fever, chills, and can become life-threatening without treatment. In Khartoum, risk is moderate at 54 out of 100, meaning you need to take it seriously but it is manageable with proper precautions.

Local risk factors in Khartoum include the Nile River and irrigation canals that create standing water where mosquitoes breed, especially during and after the rainy season from June to September. Poor drainage in some neighborhoods and construction sites also collect water. Evening and nighttime outdoor activities increase exposure since malaria-carrying mosquitoes bite primarily after dark. Additionally, some people in the area may not use bed nets consistently, allowing transmission to continue.

Here are practical steps to protect yourself. First, sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net every night, even if you are staying in a hotel or guesthouse. Tuck it under your mattress and check for holes regularly. Second, apply DEET-based or picaridin insect repellent on exposed skin from dusk through dawn. Reapply as directed on the label. Third, wear long sleeves and long pants during evening hours, especially if you are spending time outdoors near water or in gardens. Fourth, stay in accommodations with screened windows and doors, and use air conditioning when available, as mosquitoes avoid cool, enclosed spaces. Fifth, consult a healthcare provider before your trip about preventive antimalarial medication. Drugs like atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline can significantly reduce your risk when taken as prescribed.

If you develop fever, headache, or body aches during or after your stay, seek medical care immediately and mention your travel history. Early treatment prevents complications.