Africa South of Sahara

Burundi

CRIME: Street crime in Burundi's capital poses a high risk for visitors. Crime includes muggings, purse-snatching, pickpocketing, burglary, and auto break-ins. Criminals operate individually or in small groups. There have been reports of muggings of persons jogging or walking alone in all sections of Bujumbura, and especially on public roads bordering Lake Tanganyika. In late 2000, expatriate employees of several international non-governmental organizations were the victims of armed robberies in their offices, homes, and on the road. Moreover, there has been a spate of motorcycle-jackings by armed assailants.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are limited in Burundi. Medicines and prescription drugs are in short supply, if not completely unavailable. Sterility of equipment is questionable, and treatment is unreliable.

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

Arthropodborne diseases are a great problem in this region af Africa:

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

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Malaria below 2600 m altitude
• Filariasis
• Leishamaniasis in arid areas
• Relapsing fever
• Epidemic typhus
• Onchocerciasis
• Trypanosomiasis

Water- and foodborne diseases:

• Amoebiasis
• Cholera
• E.coli
• Giardiasis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis E
• Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Trachoma
• HIV
• Polio
• Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis)

Vaccinations recommended:

• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region
• Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region
• Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.

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.(Chloroquine resistance)

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

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