Vaccinations and health care for Cape Verde

The Cape Verde islands are free from most of the tropical diseases, however vaccination is an important element of protecting yourself from infection disease. Here is information about which medical vaccinations are probably desirable or helpful for travel to Cape Verde. To inform you we also give you some precautionary measures that could take. Please note you always visit your doctor or travel health clinic a couple of weeks before departure to receive to latest information and advice.

Recommended vaccinations Cape Verde

No vaccinations are required for entry to Cape Verde, only yellow fever if you are travelling from a yellow fever country. The following precautions are recommendations for a good solid base for safe travels without illness in every country.

• Hepatitis A: this vaccine should is advised to travelers.
• Hepatitis B: recommended for visitors who may work in a medical environment, children or have intimate contact with locals.
• Typhoid: this fever is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water and it is caused by the bacterium. This vaccination is recommended.
• Tetanus / Diphtheria: this vaccinations is recommend to take every 10 years. Tetanus is a serious disease caused by bacteria.
• Polio: be sure you are fully immunized against polio. This vaccination is recommended.
• Rabies: recommended for anyone working with animals in Cape Verde and may not have access to medical care
• Yellow fever: Compulsory if you are travelling from a yellow fever country, then you need to provide an immunization certificate.

Malaria

Malaria is only troubling Santiago island between the months September and December around the capital Praia. Limited cases occur and malaria medications are not recommended. Insect protection measures are important in this part of Santiago. Malaria mosquitoes bite especially in the evening and night. The risk of malaria is reduced by wearing clothes that cover your legs and arms. You also can use an insect repellent containing DEET.

As mentioned before, always sconsult your family doctor or travel health clinic before your trip to Cape Verde starts to get a personal advice based on the latest information.

Coronavirus / COVID-19

Since the end of 2019 there is a worldworld coronavirus (2019-nCoV / COVID-19) outbreak. For information please visit the page about the coronavirus in Cape Verde.

Health precautions

To reduce the risk of any health problemsyou can take some precautionary measures. This is relevant for Cape Verde visitors but also for all world wide travelers.

• Tavellers’ diarrhoea is the most common illness. It is caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. So, do not drink tap water. Use filtered, boiled or bottled water instead. Do not drink unbottled drinks with ice. And be careful eating salads or vegetables that are not washed by yourself.
• Be aware of dogs and cats. Rabies can be transmitted through a bite or a lick of an open wound.
• Always try to avoid insect bites. Try not to go to areas that are highly infested with biting insects. Products containing the chemical DEET are the most effective insect repellents.
• Avoid long exposure to the sun which can be intense in Cape Verde. Use high factor sun lotion, cover your head and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and sunburn.
• Always make sure you have an adequate health insurance that covers you for treatment, local hospitalisation and medical repatriation to your countr