Tips for a comfortable, happy and safe visit ...
Be Cautious with Nature ... on the land
Rove Beetle
Nairobi Eye
The Nairobi Eye is the local name given to a one centimetre long beetle, called Paederus sabaeus or rove beetle. Its markings are striking - short black wings, a black head and a bright orange body and a black tip to its abdomen.
The blood of this beetle contains two toxic substances - Pedrin and Cantharidin to discourge predators from eating it. However, these substances will inflame the skin on contact, causing blisters - even when the creature is dead.
Should the fluids from these blisters come into contact with the eyes, conjunctivitis and inflammation will result. This inflammation of the eyelids and are surrounding the eye is called 'Nairobi Eye' giving the beetle its common name.
the beetle does not emit or spray its fluid when provoked - the fluid is exposed if its body is damaged, therefore, you must either blow it away or carefully flick it off your skin. Do not crush it - and try not to panic.
The beetle is carnivorous, eating other small insects and can, therefore, be considered beneficial to the environment. During the rainy seasons, the beetle breeds well in the moist surroundings of gardens, particularly enjoying leaf mould and disturbed soil. They are attracted to lights and fly and crawl around the lights until the lights are switched off. The beetle then tries to return to the soil, dropping from the lights where they may fall among cushions, seats and bedding.
There is no antidote. If you get infected, consult a doctor who can prescribe effective creams and ointments to relieve the pain and irritation.
The Nairobi Eye is the local name given to a one centimetre long beetle, called Paederus sabaeus or rove beetle. Its markings are striking - short black wings, a black head and a bright orange body and a black tip to its abdomen.
The blood of this beetle contains two toxic substances - Pedrin and Cantharidin to discourge predators from eating it. However, these substances will inflame the skin on contact, causing blisters - even when the creature is dead.
Should the fluids from these blisters come into contact with the eyes, conjunctivitis and inflammation will result. This inflammation of the eyelids and are surrounding the eye is called 'Nairobi Eye' giving the beetle its common name.
the beetle does not emit or spray its fluid when provoked - the fluid is exposed if its body is damaged, therefore, you must either blow it away or carefully flick it off your skin. Do not crush it - and try not to panic.
The beetle is carnivorous, eating other small insects and can, therefore, be considered beneficial to the environment. During the rainy seasons, the beetle breeds well in the moist surroundings of gardens, particularly enjoying leaf mould and disturbed soil. They are attracted to lights and fly and crawl around the lights until the lights are switched off. The beetle then tries to return to the soil, dropping from the lights where they may fall among cushions, seats and bedding.
There is no antidote. If you get infected, consult a doctor who can prescribe effective creams and ointments to relieve the pain and irritation.
Spiders
African spiders are not dangerous - even some of the large ones found in the treetops. If bitten, however, clean the wound and apply an antiseptic cream.
African spiders are not dangerous - even some of the large ones found in the treetops. If bitten, however, clean the wound and apply an antiseptic cream.
Snakes
Africa has approximately 160 species of snakes, of which 20 are highly venomous. The chief killers are the Black Mamba, Puff Adder and Egyptian Cobra. Africa has the third highest number of poisonous snakes.
The fastest snake, such as the Mamba, can travel at about 12-15 miles per hour. The Puff Adder's head is moving at about 8m/sec, which is far too fast to avoid. The Spitting Cobra has a spitting range of about 6-10ft.
Avoid snakes at all costs by wearing boots, socks and long trousers when going through the undergrowth - and keep your eyes open. Never handle a snake - they can pretend to be dead - a trick especially employed by the Cobra.
Africa has approximately 160 species of snakes, of which 20 are highly venomous. The chief killers are the Black Mamba, Puff Adder and Egyptian Cobra. Africa has the third highest number of poisonous snakes.
The fastest snake, such as the Mamba, can travel at about 12-15 miles per hour. The Puff Adder's head is moving at about 8m/sec, which is far too fast to avoid. The Spitting Cobra has a spitting range of about 6-10ft.
Avoid snakes at all costs by wearing boots, socks and long trousers when going through the undergrowth - and keep your eyes open. Never handle a snake - they can pretend to be dead - a trick especially employed by the Cobra.
Description of Snake
|
Type - in all probability
Viper or Adder Green Mamba Cobra Black Mamba |
If confronted by a snake, stay motionless in order not to attract its attention. If you are threatening the snake, move away slowly - always keeping an eye on it.
If the snake is coloured green - Beware. It may be just a common and harmless grass snake, or it may be the poisonous Green Mamba. There is also a Black Mamba which is not black in colour.
If the snake is coloured green - Beware. It may be just a common and harmless grass snake, or it may be the poisonous Green Mamba. There is also a Black Mamba which is not black in colour.
If you are bitten by a snake ...
- Try to identify it to assist in selecting the correct treatment if the snake was poisonous. Try not to panic as this is counter-productive.
- Take a tranquilliser and wipe and cover the bite area.
- Do not make cuts in the skin.
- Immobilise a limb in a sling or splint and go to hospital as soon as you can.
- If you are transporting a patient, lie the patient on his side in case of vomiting.
Ticks
Barring mosquitoes, few bugs are as villainous as ticks. Tick Fever (also known as Tick Typhus and Boutonneouse Fever), is a particularly nasty rickettsial disease, transmitted by bacteria-like parasites of the genus Rickettsia.
The disease is prevalent all over sub-Saharan Africa, except in arid desert regions. The tiny six-legged lava crawl up stems of grass to await a host. After feeding on the host, the larvae moult into nymphs which then moult into adult ticks. The larvae are not particular about who their host is, and will bite anything when hungry.
Most human rickettsial infections are transmitted by the larvae and if diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics, Tick Fever will be a short lived mild disease. However, incorrect diagnoses are common because the disease closely resembles flu. Untreated rickettsial infections can result in serious complications, particularly for the middle-aged and elderly.
Spray a tick with repellant containing the active ingredient cyfluthrin onto shoes, socks and rouser hems if hiking. Pay particular attention to exposed areas of the body - ears, neck and beards. Avoid sleeping on the ground and do not camp where large herbivorous animals congregate.
Barring mosquitoes, few bugs are as villainous as ticks. Tick Fever (also known as Tick Typhus and Boutonneouse Fever), is a particularly nasty rickettsial disease, transmitted by bacteria-like parasites of the genus Rickettsia.
The disease is prevalent all over sub-Saharan Africa, except in arid desert regions. The tiny six-legged lava crawl up stems of grass to await a host. After feeding on the host, the larvae moult into nymphs which then moult into adult ticks. The larvae are not particular about who their host is, and will bite anything when hungry.
Most human rickettsial infections are transmitted by the larvae and if diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics, Tick Fever will be a short lived mild disease. However, incorrect diagnoses are common because the disease closely resembles flu. Untreated rickettsial infections can result in serious complications, particularly for the middle-aged and elderly.
Spray a tick with repellant containing the active ingredient cyfluthrin onto shoes, socks and rouser hems if hiking. Pay particular attention to exposed areas of the body - ears, neck and beards. Avoid sleeping on the ground and do not camp where large herbivorous animals congregate.
Worms
Bilharzia is a common and extremely unpleasant disease and is caused by parasitic worms which require both human and snail hosts in order to complete their extremely complex life cycle.
the larval form of this worm swims in river water, burrows through the skin of human hosts and migrates via the veins, lymphatic system, heart and lungs, to the liver where it grows, mates and heads for either the bladder or intestine to lay its eggs.
All rivers that flow into the eastern seaboard are potential habitats for the snails that are the hosts to the parasite. Symptoms will appear after a month or so, when muscle pain and fever will be followed by abdominal pain and diarrhoea, or blood in the urine.
To cut the risk of contracting Bilharzia - do not wash or swim in rivers or lakes - especially those flowing into the eastern seaboard.
Bilharzia is a common and extremely unpleasant disease and is caused by parasitic worms which require both human and snail hosts in order to complete their extremely complex life cycle.
the larval form of this worm swims in river water, burrows through the skin of human hosts and migrates via the veins, lymphatic system, heart and lungs, to the liver where it grows, mates and heads for either the bladder or intestine to lay its eggs.
All rivers that flow into the eastern seaboard are potential habitats for the snails that are the hosts to the parasite. Symptoms will appear after a month or so, when muscle pain and fever will be followed by abdominal pain and diarrhoea, or blood in the urine.
To cut the risk of contracting Bilharzia - do not wash or swim in rivers or lakes - especially those flowing into the eastern seaboard.
The Worm of the Putse Fly
This fly is a species of Blow-Fly widely distributed in Africa, south of the Sahara, is sensitive to urine or perspiration and can detect these lingering odours even in a freshly washed garment. They lay their eggs on clothing, whether they hatch into tiny worms which borrow beneath the skin. They remain there for about 10 days before dropping to the ground.
The wound caused by each larva is a large, tender, boil-like lesion. The worms can be squeezed out, but is not recommended. Smear the worm with petroleum jelly to suffocate it and then cover with a waterproof sticky plaster.
To guard against Putse Flies - thoroughly iron all clothes and nappies after they have dried - in order to kill both larvae and eggs. A quick burst in the microwave would also do the trick!
This fly is a species of Blow-Fly widely distributed in Africa, south of the Sahara, is sensitive to urine or perspiration and can detect these lingering odours even in a freshly washed garment. They lay their eggs on clothing, whether they hatch into tiny worms which borrow beneath the skin. They remain there for about 10 days before dropping to the ground.
The wound caused by each larva is a large, tender, boil-like lesion. The worms can be squeezed out, but is not recommended. Smear the worm with petroleum jelly to suffocate it and then cover with a waterproof sticky plaster.
To guard against Putse Flies - thoroughly iron all clothes and nappies after they have dried - in order to kill both larvae and eggs. A quick burst in the microwave would also do the trick!