Sub Saharan Africa

There are good medical facilities in Windhoek but you may be expected to pay for treatment, even if you are insured.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice for more details.  Evacuation from remote areas can take time.

Rabies, malaria and cholera are common to Namibia.  The latter two diseases are common to northern Namibia, malaria more so during the main rainy season (January - April) when the malaria belt extends as far south as Okahandja, 65km north of Windhoek.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Namibia you should seek immediate medical attention.
 

There was an outbreak of polio in Namibia in July 2006 and the Namibian authorities co-ordinated a mass vaccination campaign. You should ensure that your polio vaccination is up to date. You should consider carrying your vaccination card with you.

 

Some people suffer skin problems from Namibia's hot and dry climate.  There is, for the same reason, a serious risk of dehydration.  When travelling outside main cities ensure you carry a good supply of drinkable water.

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 180,000 adults aged 15 or over in Namibia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 15.3% 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 the HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Namibia 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 information see Travel Health and Swine Flu pages.