Africa South of Sahara

Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a developing east African country comprising 11 semi-autonomous administrative regions organized loosely along major ethnic lines. A border dispute between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea erupted in May 1998 and escalated into full- scale conflict that continued through June 2000. On December 12, 2000, a peace treaty was signed between the two countries ending the conflict. Tourism facilities in Ethiopia are minimal. The capital is Addis Ababa.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Although Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace treaty in December 2000, travellers should exercise caution if travelling to the northern Tigray and Afar regions (within 50 km./30 miles of the Ethiopian/Eritrean border) because of land mines and unsettled conditions in the border area. There is a peacekeeping mission in the border area, but the border with Eritrea has not yet been defined.

Travellers throughout Ethiopia are advised to consider carefully security implications when visiting public places such as markets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and hotel lobbies. It is advisable to lodge at larger hotels that offer better security.

Travel to the Ogaden Region of Ethiopia is considered to be very dangerous due to incidents of clan fighting, armed banditry, threats of kidnapping, and violence. Foreigners have been targeted. Travel in this region should not be attempted.

In southern Ethiopia along the Kenyan border, banditry and incidents involving ethnic conflicts are common.

In western Ethiopia, the western-most tip of the Gambella Region is subject to inter-ethnic conflict and to political violence originating from Sudan.

There are recent reports of highway robberies by armed bandits throughout the country. Travellers are cautioned to limit road travel outside major towns or cities to daylight hours only and to use caution at all times when traveling on roads.

Travel in Ethiopia via rail is also strongly discouraged due to episodes of sabotage and derailment as recently as the summer of 2000.

CRIME INFORMATION: Pickpocketing and other petty crimes are prevalent in urban areas. There are occasional reports of thieves' snatching jewelry. Visitors should exercise normal caution, not wear excessive jewelry or carry large sums of money, and keep wallets and other valuables where they will be less susceptible to pick-pockets. Crime is a growing problem in Addis Ababa, and the lack of immediate police support aggravates this situation. Armed banditry can occur on roads outside major towns or cities and may be accompanied by violence.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health facilities are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and completely inadequate outside the capital. Although physicians are generally well trained, even the best hospitals in Addis Ababa suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment, and shortages of supplies (particularly medicine). Emergency assistance is limited. Travellers must bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines, as well as a doctor's note describing the medication. If the quantity of drugs exceeds that which would be expected for personal use, a permit from the Ministry of Health is required.

More than 20 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

Arthropod borne diseases:

• Malaria below 2000 m altitude
• Filariasis
• Leishamaniasis
• Relapsing fever
• Epidemic typhus
• Onchocerciasis
• Trypanosomiasis

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:

• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Meningitis
• Yellow fever when entering fom 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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