Africa South of Sahara

Seychelles

The Republic of Seychelles consists of 116 islands off the east coast of Africa. The main islands of this archipelago include Mahe, which is the largest and has a population of approximately 71,600, followed by Praslin and La Digue, which have populations of approximately 6,500 and 2,100, respectively. Rainfall varies considerable from island to island, but Seychelles is not normally affected by hurricanes. English and French are the official languages. The capital, Victoria, is located on Mahe.

CRIME : Petty crime is a problem, but violent crime against tourists is rare.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially on the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. There is one government-owned hospital, and there are several private clinics.

Water- and foodborne diseases:

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

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Trachoma
• HIV

Vaccinations recommended:

• Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region
• 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;.

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Updated 21-Jul-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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