South Africa

Namibia

Namibia is a southern African country with a moderately developed economy. Facilities for tourism are good and generally increasing in quality. The capital is Windhoek.

CRIME : Incidents of violent crime directed specifically against foreigners are rare, but the number of criminal incidents, both violent and petty, is increasing. The most common criminal offenses committed in the capital are non-violent crimes of opportunity, including pickpocketing, purse-snatching, vehicle theft, and vehicle break-ins.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are relatively modern, especially in the capital city of Windhoek.

More than 25 mill. people are infected by HIV in the subsaharian Africa.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Epidemic typhus
• Malaria November to May/June in north areas and in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa; and whole year at Kavango and Kunene rivers
• Relapsing fever
• Rift Valley fever
• Trypanosomiasis
• Plague

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

Water- and foodborne diseases:

• Amoebiasis
• ETEC (E.coli)
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• HIV
• Schistosomiasis ( bilharziasis )

Vaccinations we recommend:

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or immune globulin (IG)
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
• Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
• Yellow fever when arriving from a destination where yellow fever occurs

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 chloroquine and proguanil as malaria prophylaxis in risk areas in risk periods(chloroquine resistance).

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