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Health regulations:
Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the region and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. (See below.)
All
incoming Tourists are strongly recommended to take
advance necessary precautions against Malaria by having adequate Anti-malaria
drugs.
Malaria is a preventable infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Prevent infection by taking prescription
anti-malarial drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bites (see below). Travelers to
Tanzania should take one of the following anti-malarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam®), doxycycline, or Malarone™.
For detailed information on anti-malarial drugs, see your physician.
A certificate of yellow fever vaccine may be required for entry into certain of
Tanzania.
Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), and Rift Valley fever are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent these diseases.
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, is found in fresh water in the region, including Lake Malawi. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools).
Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and drive defensively. Avoid nighttime travel if possible and always use seat belts.
The following vaccines are recommended (as appropriate for age):
See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
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Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
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Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
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Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
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Yellow fever, if you travel anywhere outside urban areas.
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As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
To stay healthy, do...
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Wash hands often with soap and water.
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Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an “absolute 1-micron or less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. “Absolute 1-micron filter” are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
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Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
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If you travel to an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.)
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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.
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To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
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Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
To avoid getting sick...
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Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
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Don’t drink beverages with ice.
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Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
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Don’t share needles with anyone.
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Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). (For more information, please see the Animal-Associated Hazards on the Making Travel Safe page.)
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Don’t swim in fresh water, including Lake Malawi. Salt water is usually safer. (For more information, please see the Swimming Precautions on the Making Travel Safe page.)
What you need to bring with you:
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Long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and
onchocerciasis).
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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, purchase a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin. (Bed nets can be purchased in camping or military supply stores.)
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Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea.
Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Do’s above for more detailed information about water filters.
Sunblock, sunglasses, hat.
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Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s).
After you return home:
If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (Lariam®, doxycycline) or seven days (Malarone™) after leaving the risk area. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to 1 year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and should tell the physician their travel history.
This document is not a complete medical guide for travelers to Tanzania. Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical conditions.
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