Africa South of Sahara

Liberia

Liberia is a developing West African country which is recovering from seven years of devastating civil war (1989-97). Although a democratically elected government was installed in August 1997, limited progress has been made toward the following goals: resettlement of refugees and displaced persons, reintegration of former combatants, reconstruction of the country's infrastructure, respect for human rights and the rule of law, a stable environment for economic development, and the elimination of corruption. Tourism facilities are poor or, in many cases, nonexistent.

CRIME: Monrovia's crime rate is high. Theft and assault are major problems and occur more frequently after dark. Travellers have been targets of street crime and robbery. Residential armed break-ins are common. The police are ill-equipped and largely incapable of providing effective protection.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Hospitals and medical facilities are poorly equipped and incapable of providing basic services. Medicines are scarce or often unavailable in most areas.

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

Arthropod borne diseases:

• Malaria
• Filariasis
• Leishamaniasis
• Relapsing fever
• Epidemic typhus
• Onchocerciasis
• Trypanosomiasis
• Yellow fever

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
• 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.

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 19-Jul-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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