Africa South of Sahara

Sierra Leone

The Department of State, USA warns against travel to Sierra Leone. Although security in Freetown has improved over the past year and there are encouraging signs that the UN peacekeeping force is making progress in disarming and demobilizing the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel force and pro-government Civil Defense Force (CDF), the overall security situation remains tenuous and dangerous. Travel outside the capital is still somewhat dangerous in many areas due to the presence of rebel military groups and undisciplined pro-government militia that have not yet been disarmed or demobilized.

CRIME: Petty crime and theft of wallets and passports are common. Requests for payments at military roadblocks are common. Armed robberies and burglaries of residences are frequent occurrences.

MEDICAL FACLITIES: Medical facilities fall critically short of Western standards. Persons with medical conditions that may require treatment or medications are discouraged from travelling to Sierra Leone. Medicines are in short supply, sterility of equipment is questionable, and treatment is unreliable. Many primary health care workers, especially in rural areas, lack professional training. Instances of misdiagnosis, improper treatment and administration of improper drugs have been reported.

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:

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Other diseases:

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 08-Feb-2003 • ŠtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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