South Africa

Botswana

Botswana is a southern African country with a stable democratic government and a growing economy. Facilities for tourism are widely available.

CRIME: Violent crime remains relatively infrequent in Gaborone, the capital. Residential burglaries and car theft, however, are increasing. Prudent security measures, such as alarms and immobilizers, may deter such crimes. Petty street crime and crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money and personal property, remain the most common forms of crime in Botswana. Visitors to Gaborone, as to any foreign city, should avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Gaborone and Francistown are adequate, but available facilities in other areas are limited. For advanced care travellers often choose to travel to South Africa. Most prescription drugs are available.

More than 25 mill. people are infected by HIV in the subsaharian Africa.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Epidemic typhus
• Malaria in the northern part of the country from may to june; ( Boeteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango, Tutume districts )
• Relapsing fever
• Rift Valley fever
• Trypanosomiasis

We recommend:

• Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
• Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
• Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
• Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

• Amoebiasis
• ETEC (E.coli)
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• HIV
• Schistosomiasis ( bilharziasis )

Vaccinations we recommend:

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or immune globulin (IG)
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
• Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
• Yellow fever when arriving from a destination where yellow fever occurs

Stay healthy:

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
• Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
• Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• Do not travel at night
• Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Use mefloquine as malaria prophylaxis in risk areas (chloroquine resistance).

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Updated 28-Apr-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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