Djibouti

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria affects the country; strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3). The main affected areas are the district of Dikhil, Southern Djibouti (Dikhil, As Eyla, Yokobi) and the area of Djibouti-city (district of Ambouli, Balbala).
• Given the risk of cholera in the areas of Yokobi and Balbala, precaution measures for food are required.
• Tuberculosis is endemic in Djibouti, particularly among impoverished populations.
• Due to the outbreak of polyomelitis currently affecting several neighbouring countries (Yemen, Ethiopia), it is recommended to get immunized against polyomelitis - especially children - before travelling in the country.
• The country is affected by the AIDS epidemic (it is estimated that 3% of the population is HIV-positive).
• 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

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area 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.
• Neisseria meningitidis meningitis: 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.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• 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

Djibouti city
• French Military Hospital, GMC Bouffard, Djibouti city: phone + 253 45 30 95 or + 253 45 31 87

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 18
• Police : 17
• Ambulances: 18

CLIMATE

• The climate is tropical, warn and arid.
• Temperatures remain high from May to October, and May and September are very wet.
• There is no rainy season.
• The hot season is trying.
• When to go: between November and April.