Africa South of Sahara

Cape Verde

The Republic of Cape Verde consists of nine inhabited and several uninhabited volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa. Most are rugged and mountainous; three (Sal, Maio, and Boa Vista) are flat, desert islands with sand beaches. The capital city of Praia is located on the island of Santiago. Cape Verde International Airport is located on the island of Sal, 100 miles north of the capital. While the tourist industry is bringing ever-growing numbers of tourists, facilities on most islands remain limited. Cape Verde enjoys a stable, democratic government. The national language is Portuguese.

CRIME: Petty thievery, especially in market areas, and burglary are common. Violent crime is on the rise, but it is still very low by regional standards.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are limited, and some medicines are unavailable. Travellers should bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. Further information on prescription drugs is found in the section on import/export restrictions.

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
• Relapsing fever
• Epidemic typhus

Water- and foodborne diseases:

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

Other diseases:

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

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.
• Meningitis

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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