Sub Saharan Africa

Healthcare standards, particularly in the rural areas of Malawi, are generally poor.  

 

Malaria and rabies are common to Malawi. Bilharzia can be contracted in many lake shore areas and rivers. Kasungu National Park is home to tsetse flies carrying sleeping sickness. Outbreaks of gastric intestinal infections and cholera are also common, especially during the rainy season (December to March).

 

Tap water may not be safe to drink, especially in rural areas. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Malawi you should seek immediate medical attention.

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 840,000 adults aged 15 or over in Malawi were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 11.9% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

 

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Malawi and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

 

For more general health information see Travel Health.