The health and safety of participants is always a major concern for the rally organizers. So a team will be at your disposal throughout the rally 24 hours a day to provide safety and first aid during the race.

Despite their best efforts, this team cannot remove all the dangers inherent in a rally such as this. But while some cannot be foreseen, others can be anticipated and avoided. For this reason, we feel it is necessary to inform you about potential medical risks in the countries crossed by the rally and the precautions to be taken in order to protect yourself against them.

Malaria

Caused by a parasite, plasmodium, it is transmitted by mosquito bite; it is a serious condition, sometimes even fatal. The disease is not immediately apparent and can therefore occur after you have returned from the rally. As there is no vaccine, it is essential to protect yourself. To do this:

• Avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and applying “anti-mos¬quito products” to any uncovered areas, particularly in the evening
• take a prophylactic drug: – either Méfloquine (tolerance to which is not always good) : start ten days before leaving to assess tolerance and four weeks on return at 1 table per week

Dengue fever

This is also transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or treatment for this disease which may be serious in its hemorrhagic form. Protection against mosquito bites is the only way of protecting yourself.

Rabies

It is transmitted by an infected animals bite or them licking a wound; dogs are not the only carriers. Certain animals which do not normally bite sometimes do so when they have the disease. A vaccine exists but is not worth it, because the risk is minor. It is however recommended to avoid all contact with animals. A vaccination after you have been bitten is also possible.

Cholera

The risk is low, outside epidemics and provided you adhere to basic hygiene rules (oral contamination). An oral vaccine is available.

Hepatitis A

A disease rife throughout the whole world, even in the most developed countries, the risk of contamination is dependent on living conditions. The disease is caught orally. There is a vaccine. Some people have already contracted Hepatitis A without knowing it. A dose of antibodies may be taken in order to avoid vaccination, obviously not dangerous, but pointless. Treatment can only be given once symptoms appear.

“Dirt hands” diseases

CHOLERA, HEPATITIS A, TURISTA, SHIGELLOSES SALMONELLA all have one thing in common – they are caught orally, either through water or contaminated good or by touching the mouth after having touched a contaminated item. It is therefore important:

• To wash your hands,
• Not to put your hands to your mouth,
• To peel fruit and vegetables and only eat products which have been properly prepared,
• Only to drink products in sealed packaging that you open yourself without sharing them (oral contamination).

Other infections, whether bacterial, viral or parasitic, exist in the countries crossed by the rally. The risk of being infected by any of them is low, or even zero. We again stress the importance of protecting yourself against insect bites (not only mosquitoes). Always wear shoes, do not bathe in fresh water and avoid contact with animals.

In conclusion, you absolutely must:

• protect yourself against malaria,
• possibly be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and typhoid,
• do not forget normal vaccinations which must be up to date : Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B.

Other medical risks We can only remind you of the frequency of the AIDS Virus and sexually transmittable diseases in the various countries crossed and that the rules applicable in your country are obviously equally valid there.

Dehydration, Dehydration occurs insidiously, contributes significantly to fatigue and may be responsible for uncomfortable ailments such as renal colic. We lose not only water but also salts through the skin (particularly NaCl or cooking salt). You should therefore:

• check your water supply and top it up whenever possible
• drink water, but also eat the rations which are given to you in the morning,
• drink specially prepared products.

A good way of checking for this : your urine should remain clear.

Wounds and burns :

These must be disinfected and covered with a dressing while awaiting the appropriate medical attention. Hence, you should have a minimum first aid kit consisting of:

• a disinfectant
• a few compresses
• a bandage
• plasters
• anti-diarrhoea pills…