Africa South of Sahara

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a developing landlocked country in southern Africa. Tourist facilities are available in Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe, major cities, and selected game parks in various price ranges and levels of quality. The capital city is Harare.

CRIME: Carjacking, street crime, rape and credit card fraud are on the rise. Much of the increase in crime is due to high rates of unemployment and deteriorating economic conditions. Foreigners are perceived to be wealthy. Therefore, they could be targeted by criminals who operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls in Harare and in the major tourist areas, such as Victoria Falls.

Travellers who suspect that their vehicle is being followed should drive to the nearest police or service station, or some other public area, e.g. a major hotel, for assistance.

Travellers are also encouraged to make two photocopies of the biographic/identification page of their passport. They should leave one copy at home with friends or relatives and carry the second copy with them for identification and purposes.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities outside of Harare and Bulawayo are limited. Travellers are urged to carry an ample supply of their prescription medications because they will not likely be available in Zimbabwe. Provincial hospitals in rural areas are not equipped to provide medical care in case of a serious accident.

Doctors, hospitals and air ambulance medical-evacuation services often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

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:

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)

To top Back to list of countries • Home

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

The contents within traveldoctoronline are presented only for informational purposes and cannot substitute for professional health care or any other medical treatment. All users of this website with health problems should be oblige always to consult their medical doctor before starting any treatment