Africa South of Sahara

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a developing country in central Africa. Malabo, the capital, is located on the island of Bioko, off the coast of Cameroon. The mainland territory of Equatorial Guinea is located between Cameroon and Gabon. The principal city on the mainland is Bata. Facilities for tourism are limited. The official languages are Spanish, which is widely spoken, and French, which is sometimes used in business dealings and with government officials.

CRIME: Violent crime is rare and the overall level of criminal activity is low in comparison to other countries in the region. There has, however, been a rise in non-violent street crime and residential burglaries.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are extremely limited. Pharmacies in Malabo and Bata are well-stocked, but in other areas many medicines are unavailable. Travellers are advised to bring with them any special medication they require. There is no trauma center in the country. In case of serious illness or accident, a medical evacuation to another country is required.

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
• Relapsing fever
• Epidemic typhus
• Trypanosomiasis
• Onchocerciasis

Water- and foodborne diseases:

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

Other diseases:

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

Vaccinations recommended:

• Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.
• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Meningitis
• 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.

Prevent illness:

• 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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