Senegal Health

Health

Get necessary vaccines before arrival. Officially, certification of yellow fever vaccine is required upon arrival if coming from a country in a yellow fever zone, but it is not commonly checked. Take malaria prophylactic medicine (Lariam, doxycycline) to prevent onset of the disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquito. Avoid tap-water, and all dishes prepared with them. Bottled water, such as Kirene which is most common and bottled in Senegal, is widely available and inexpensive. To prevent serious effects of dehydration, it is wise to carry around packets of rehydration salts to mix with water, should you become dehydrated. These are widely available at pharmacies and are inexpensive. Alternatively, a proper mix of table salt and sugar can replace these. Degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Rift Valley fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004). Yellow fever vaccine needed to enter the country (you will receive a WHO-"passport" to verify it to customs). Buy at least a mosquito net (impregnated), and preferably repellents such as Care Plus Deet lotions. Safety Altough highly exaggerated, there is still fighting going on in the Casamance region of Senegal. The "struggle" goes on between the government and the MFDC or mouvement des forces démocratiques de la Casamance. It would be wise to avoid travel to this area, if this is not possible or if you really want to see this region, then at least first check with the embassy for the latest situation.

[ World Health Orginisation ]

[ Hospital of Tropical Diseases ]