Angola Health

Health

Health Travellers should only drink mineral water, or, if in an emergency boiled water, since the water is untreated and therefore tap water is not safe. Because malaria is endemic to this country travellers should also avoid mosquito bites with insect repelent or impregnated bed nets. AIDS and HIV are very prevalent in Africa, so at all costs, avoid having unprotected sex. Degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004). Safety Angola in general is not the place to travel without qualified personnel. However, if one follows some basic rules, traveling in Angola is not dangerous. First of all, traveling after dark and alone is hardly ever a good idea. If possible, one should join several cars of the same brand and model because of the possible need for spare parts. One should also carry a satellite telephone in the case of a breakdown or other emergency. For Luanda, however, other rules apply. You should stay in your car (with locked doors) as long as you are outside reach of security personnel, which you will find at all hotels and restaurants. Avoid using your camera in front of police (dressed in blue uniforms). This will result, at best, in a very heavy fine, but it could also have more dire consequences. Never step beyond the red and white HALO Trust posts, they denote mine fields. In fact beware of anything surrounded by any kind or red stones or markers.

[ World Health Orginisation ]

[ Hospital of Tropical Diseases ]