Kenya with cll watch and wait

[Wombat63]

Hi my husband was diagnosed with call in January this year. No real symptoms it was discovered as a result of blood tests for a toe infection !!!! We really want to holiday in Kenya but are worried about the vaccines required and insurance costs. We were going to Zanzibar but have had to cancel because my husband can't have the yellow fever vaccine. Has anyone travelled to Kenya or Africa with cll would like to hear your story/ advice. Thanks for listening. X

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

Dr. Brian Koffman, an MD and patient, did a trip to Africa from the US with his wife - I don't remember which country. I'll keep an eye open for it.

[Wombat63 in reply to MsLockYourPosts]

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply and check out our enquiry.

[cricons in reply to Wombat63]

Here's the link to Dr. Koffman's blog on his trip: cllsociety.org/2017/01/refl...

[JaneSmith_Worcs_UK]

I travel regularly to The Gambia where I founded a charity. Fortunately, I had the yellow fever vaccine on my first visit in 2004 and they now say that it has lifelong action. Although no longer mandatory for The Gambia it is advisable. I too am on watch and wait and just have 6 monthly blood tests. One is due this week. My white cell count is only just off the normal range so frustrating to have this label. I rarely give the CLL a thought now. I do have travel insurance but elected to ignore it otherwise costs were very high!. I am therefore covered for cancellations, accidents etc. When I was first diagnosed they checked all my current vaccinations and updated some, namely HIBmen C and Men B 9, Meningitis and Haemophilus influenza type B. I am careful when there but I feel I have built up a strong resistance over probably 18 or so visits, living in very basic accommodation, no water on tap, deep drop toilet etc. I am not at the coast but 200 miles upriver on a river island. I do not know what the vaccination requirements are for Kenya I'm afraid, but obviously, your GP's travel clinic can advise. Contact me if you wish but not sure what else I can advise.

[Wombat63 in reply to JaneSmith_Worcs_UK]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Really appreciate it and your story has given us a lift after having to cancel our holiday of a lifetime. I know there are a lot worse things out there it's just frustrating because we both keep ourselves fit and are perfectly able to travel with minimum comforts.

[cricons]

I've travelled all over Africa, including Kenya, for many years as part of my work in international health. I was diagnosed 3 years ago, am still on W&W, and haven't given a thought to NOT going. Yes I had all my shots pre-diagnosis, but honestly few countries check for vaccines nowadays. Your main hazard in Kenya would be intestinal parasites - so use only bottled water, even for tooth brushing - and malaria, for which you should take Malarone. Dr. Koffman's blog has more detail - I posted the link under the other thread that mentions it. Kenya is a beautiful place and an African safari is a very special experience - GO!!

[thb4747]

Hi,

Sorry, I seem to have missed your post when it went up. I was diagnosed in 2001 and have had many treatments since. I’m currently being treated with Venetoclax. Despite all that I’m about to have my 13th trip to South Africa in October. I was in Tanzania in November 2017 and can confirm that no yellow fever vaccination is necessary (and, yes, I achieved a lifelong ambition of visiting Zanzibar). I’ve also been to Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia without incident. On this next trip, I am returning home for my regular IVIG treatment and my partner is going on to Kenya where a yellow fever vaccination is required.

We’re currently trying to establish whether we need to split up for 10 days or so after she has the vaccination!

I take it you live in Australia. If so, Qantas currently has a sale on fares to Johannesburg for travel through to 31 March 2019.

Best wishes,

Rob

[Wombat63 in reply to thb4747]

Thanks Rob no we live in the UK just have a daft username !!! We have info the other way round yellow fever needed for Tanzania but not for Kenya thats why we changed. Think we may need to some more research. Thanks for your help xx

[thb4747 in reply to Wombat63]

wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destin...

[Barbshow]

We went to Kenya and Tanzania after my husband was diagnosed but several years before he needed treatment. We stayed in really nice tents. He had all the

needed vaccinations. But obviously, talk with your

doctors since it depends on the specifics of his immune system and risk of infection.

[Wombat63 in reply to Barbshow]

Thanks for your help. x

[TOG15]

You may be checked at the airport in Nairobi. In my last visit in October 2017 they were checking everyone and insisting on immunising anyone who did not have the the yellow fever vaccination.

[Wombat63 in reply to TOG15]

Thanks TOG15 which country had you traveled in from ?

[TOG15 in reply to Wombat63]

Dubai but I do not think that matters they were checking everyone from all flights

[Wombat63 in reply to TOG15]

Ok thanks I'll check it out with the travel agent