Africa South of Sahara

Mauritania

Mauritania is a developing country in northwest Africa. Islamic ideals and beliefs in the country encourage conservative dress; sleeved garments are recommended and people should avoid wearing shorts.

CRIME: Crime in Mauritania is on the rise. Most incidents involve petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and crimes of opportunity which often result from improperly secured valuables left in plain sight inside a vehicle.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Mauritania are limited. At local pharmacies, some medicines are difficult to obtain; travellers are advised to bring their own supplies.

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
• 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)

Vaccinations recommended:

• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• 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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