Health risks
Malawi is a developing African nation. Tourist facilities are limited. Aging infrastructure and lack of investment have rendered electricity, water supply, and telecommunications unreliable in rural areas. Credit cards are not commonly accepted outside major cities. Dress codes against short skirts on women and long hair on men no longer exist, but travellers may wish to dress modestly, especially when visiting remote areas.
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CRIME : Even though Malawi is known as "the warm heart of Africa," both residents and visitors need to bear in mind that there is a criminal element present. Carjackings and residential break-ins are two crimes prevalent throughout Malawi. Perpetrators of these crimes are usually well armed and may resort to violence with little provocation. Petty street crime (robbery and pickpocketing) is common.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are basic in urban areas and poor to non-existent in rural areas. Some medicines are in short supply or locally unobtainable.
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:
- Malaria
- Filariasis
- Leishamaniasis
- Relapsing fever
- Epidemic typhus
- Onchocerciasis
- Trypanosomiasis
Water- and foodborne diseases:
- Cholera
- Amoebiasis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis E
- Typhoid fever
- Giardiasis
- ETEC E.coli
Other diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Trachoma
- HIV
- Poliomyelitis
- Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis)
Vaccinations recommended:
- Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.
- 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)
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas.
Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, malaria, *meningitis, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.
Risks: malaria exists all year throughout the country. Rabies.
Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:
- Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country
- Maliaria Risk Category: A
- Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: No
- Sub Saharan Africa: Yes
- West Nile Virus Risk: No
- Chikungunya Virus Risk: No
Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Malawi
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Malawi and prevention before arrival at Malawi.
Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Malawi
