I have been to my GP for recommendations on vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. Yellow fever vaccination is required and possibly checked in Liberia. Typhoid and hepatitis shots are recommended. Also rabies for those likely to be up country. Liberia is also a malaria infested area.
My blood was tested for hepatitis anti bodies and I was found to be immune for Hep B. Polio and cholera are up to date (from PNG). I opted out of the anti rabies shot.
The recommended malaria prophylaxis is Malorone or Mefloquin. Liberia is a Chloroquin resistant region. My personal policy on malaria prohylaxis is to take the recommended pills for 3 months if and when I move from one region to another eg from PNG to West Africa. I shall be taking Mefloquin (Lariam) and I will travel with a treatment course of Artemisinin and Doxycycline. I have had malaria several times and will recognise the symptoms and would treat myself if there are no doctors in the area.
A visit to the dentist gave me some assurance that I will not develop toothache as soon as I arrive
At home via computer I have joined the Liberian Expats Forum and the Liberian Profesionals Forum, both web based networks. The Liberian expats seem to be Monrovia based, working for the UN or NGOs. Accommodation is a problem for new comers as there are many requests for info and advice.On the other hand I see a mother is trying to start a ballet dancing group for her daughter. Perhaps I should join ......
Finally I have checked my laptop; updated anti virus and firewall; scanned the drive; checked wireless connections (useful at the airport) and added cables and headphones (for Skype) to the computer bag. I may carry a spare battery as my experience in Nigeria warns me that running laptops on generator power of unknown voltage tends to blow up batteries.
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