Cameroon

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria affects the whole country (zone 3, high resistance to chloroquine).
• Cameroon is an endemic area for arbovirosis (dengue fever and chikungunya).
• A first H5N1 focus has appeared within the Extreme North Province. No human cases have been reported.
• Several cities are regularly affected by cholera epidemics, especially Douala.
• AIDS remains highly prevalent (12% of the population is HIV-positive).
• Cameroon is regularyl confronted to outbreak of meningococcal meningitis.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

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 thoroughly before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• All travelers entering the country are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Yellow fever: compulsory; available for children at least 6 months old.
• 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.
• Neisseria meningitidis meningitis (A+C): for long stays or in case of close contacts with local population in an epidemic area. 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

Yaoundé
• Socio-Medical Center of the French Cooperation, 8 rue 3019, Vallée de la mort District, BP 1616: phone + 237 22 23 01 39 or + 237 99 93 41 69 (in case of emergency), fax + 237 22 23 01 39



Douala
• Clinic Bel-Air, Rue Toyota, BP 15270, Bonapriso: phone + 237 342 82 84, fax + 237 342 89 13
• Polyclinic Bonanjo, Avenue Charles de Gaulle, BP 103: phone + 237 342 9910, fax + 237 342 0845

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 18
• Police: 17 (or 117) in Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua

CLIMATE

• The climate is characterized by two main seasons: a rain season, from April to November, and a dry season from November to April.
• When to go: between November and April.