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Country Guide > Africa > Cameroon | |
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Health
1 A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over one year of age. 2 Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Cameroon. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. In June 2004, 2924 cases of cholera were confirmed in littoral to West Regions areas, since January of the same year. Although this has since abated, visitors should continue to monitor the situation. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information, see the Health appendix. 3 Immunisation against diphtheria, hepatitis A and typhoid is recommended. Poliomyelitis is endemic and inoculation is advised. Vaccines are also sometimes advised for hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis, rabies and tuberculosis. 4 Malaria risk exists all year throughout the country, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine. Food & drink Water precautions are recommended outside of main hotels but all water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water is readily available. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks Hepatitis B is hyperendemic in the region. Hepatitis A and E, dysentery, dengue fever and typhoid fever are widespread. Lassa fever may be spread via rat populations in rural areas. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) exists and cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis may be found in drier areas. Human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is reported in certain locations. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Meningococcal meningitis risk exists during the dry season (December to June) in northern areas. Paragonimiasis (oriental lung fluke) has been reported. HIV/Aids is prevalent. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care There are roughly 250 hospitals in Cameroon, although health facilities are not recommended to foreign travellers. Sanitation levels are low, even in the best hospitals and clinics. Facilities outside Yaoundé and Douala are extremely limited. International travellers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departure. |