Mozambique Health

Health

Health Degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004) Malarial prophylaxis is essential in all parts of Mozambique. Chloroquine/Paludrine are now as ineffective as in other parts of east Africa, and it's worth going to see your doctor to get decent protection. Get all your vaccine shots before arriving Medical facilities in Mozambique are now generally reasonably stocked, but it is always worth getting a range of vaccinations before you leave. Prevention is better than cure. It is worth considering carrying some clean needles if you are visiting out of the way areas, purely as remote medical facilities may have problems getting hold of them. Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is readily available in the cities and is cheap. If you are travelling in very remote places carry some form of water purification kit. Bear in mind that chlorine tablets are not effective against giardia. Mind what you eat. As common in most countries in the world, if you are concerned about the standards of hygiene in a place, don't eat there. Do not have unprotected sex. As in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a very high HIV incidence. Safety Risks are much the same as many other countries in Africa (and significantly less than some, including parts of South Africa). Nevertheless muggings, robberies, rape and murder do occur, so the normal precautions should be taken. Women should never walk alone on beaches. In particular it's worth checking with local hostels and other travellers as to where dangerous areas are. But in general the Mozambican people are extremely warm and friendly and you will encounter far less hassle than in almost all of the countries surrounding it.

[ World Health Orginisation ]

[ Hospital of Tropical Diseases ]