Re: malaria prophylaxis...
WHO and the US CDC do NOT recommend taking malaria prophylaxis pills UNLESS you are visiting Bavaro/Punta Cana or the Haitian boarder area. Yes, it IS possible to get malaria in another area but the RISKS of the antibiotic such as Cipro taken as a preventive outweigh the benefits. Not to mention the fact that even if you are taking prophylaxis there is no guarantee that you won't get malaria if exposed; in fact, you might be more willing to delay care if you think you've covered yourself. If you want to have a prescription filled and BRING it, that is another story altogether. The orphanage accepts donations of unused antibiotics brought down for this purpose all the time. PM me if you have any
Smart travelers will protect themselves from mosquitoes because this will assist in the prevention of both Dengue and Malaria. The risk of contracting Dengue here is much greater than Malaria. Of course if you are traveling to Bavaro/Punta Cana or the Haitian boarder, heed the recommendations for anti-malarials and NOTE that the use of asprin for cardiovascular disease prevention is contra-indicated in areas where malaria is of high risk.