HEALTH: NO VACCINATION IS MANDATORY BUT MADAGASCAR’S HEALTH SITUATION IMPOSES PRECAUTIONS.
Malaria, schistosomiasis and other tropical diseases are rife on the island. A minimum antimalarial treatment is recommended (consult your doctor). Also check his vaccinations against hepatitis, tetanus, typhoid A and B and polio.
Given the lack of hospital infrastructure in a large part of the country, it is prudent to subscribe to an international repatriation insurance.
All pharmacies of Nosy Be are widely provided to date with the most conventional drugs and related to the common problems encountered in tropical countries (a kit is useless if you stay on Nosy Be).
Medical equipment is evolving. Ambaja has a good clinic and Reunion hospitals are easily accessible in case of serious problems. Near Hell-City, a dispensary is working properly and doctors are moving easily.
MISCELLANEOUS SANITARY PRECAUTIONS
- Purifying the water or drinking sealed mineral water is mandatory.
- Vegetables and fresh fruits should be avoided unless peeled.
- Avoid the bites of mosquitoes, unpleasant certainly, but especially vectors of the agent of malaria. So use mosquito nets, air conditioning, insecticide, fire hose and long sleeved shirts.
- Watch out for the rays of the tropical sun, protect yourself from a hat and sunglasses and use the appropriate sun creams.
- Resist the temptation of swimming in lakes, rivers and rice fields, very often infested with bilharzia, formidable parasites attacking the urinary or digestive system.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are widespread. If, unlike Africa, AIDS remains rare, the greatest caution is necessary.
