AngolaMAIN HEALTH RISKS- Malaria is present throughout the country, with strains highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3). The transmission level depends on the areas. In Luanda, malaria is unstable and transmissions occur almost only in April and May. Outside of these two months, only sporadic cases are reported. There are also two focal outbreaks of Vivax malaria in the south (Arib-Ihrit), where transmissions occur from November to March.
- Trypanosomiasis is endemic in the north of the country.
- A cholera epidemics has been undergoing in Angola since February 2006. After a lull during the winter, the wet season may provoke a resurgence of the disease. Strict food hygiene measures are necessary for any person visiting the country.
- Cases of AIDS are numerous: 9% of the population is HIV-positive.
- Yellow fever is endemic in the country.
- There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
- Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
- Diarrheic diseases are frequent.
FOOD SAFETY- Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
- Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
- Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
- Wash your hands carefully before each meal.
IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION- All travellers entering the country are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:- Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
- Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
- Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.
Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:- Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
- Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
- Meningitis: for long stays or in case of extended contacts with the population during an epidemics or in a high-risk zone. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
- Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
- Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).
HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES- Dr. Bernardino (pediatrician), Climed Clinic: phone + 244 (2) 34 00 74
- Dr. Vidigal (cardiologist), Cliniques Sagrada Esperança or Alvalade or Medigroup-Mutamba
- Dr. Anna Van Dunem (gynecolocist), Cliniques Sagrada Esperança or Alvalade or Medigroup-Mutamba
- Dr. Albuquerque (ophtalmologist), Centro de Oftalmologia e Optometria Atelier, 141 rua Amilcar Cabral: phone + 244 (2) 33 77 60 or 33 96 86
EMERGENCY CONTACTS - Firemen: 115 or 2 323 333
- Police: 113 or 2 332 301
- Ambulances: 2 336 555 (mobile: 9 500 965)
CLIMATE - The climate of the country is tropical, with three main climate zones.
- A wet tropical area spreads from the north of the Cabinda enclave and Ambriz, through Luanda and Malanje.
- A dry temperate area is located in the Central and Southern parts of the plateau. The average temperature in Huambo (formerly Nova Lisboa), a city located at an altitude of 1 701 m, is 19 °C, and temperature occasionally drops below zero in the winter.
- At last, a semi-desertic zone covers all the south of the country beginnong in Moçãmedes, between the plateau and the Namibian border.
- When to go: in July or August.
|
