MEDICAL & HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

No inoculations are obligatory but it is recommended that you consult your doctor for advice. The website www.cdc.gov/travel/regionSouthernAfrica has helpful information. Zimbabwe has a well-staffed, private Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS) equipped with ambulance and airlift facilities countrywide. Log onto their website for more information: http://www.mars.co.zw. Enquiries may be directed to the PRO on nigel@marshre.co.zw.

While it is good to be aware and take precautions, the chance of contracting diseases and viruses from well-frequented tourist destinations is minimal, with the exception of Bilharzia.

Bilharzia is a waterborne intestinal parasite. It enters the body through the skin. Treat all dams and rivers as infected (except those in the Eastern Highlands where it is too cold) by keeping clear of contact with water, especially where it is slow moving or stagnant, and along banks and shorelines. For a person with bilharzia there are no obvious symptoms other than growing fatigue and lassitude.

Since the chances are higher of contracting a fever, protection against them requires more careful attention:-

Malaria may occur throughout Zimbabwe, but is particularly prevalent in low-lying areas ie the Lowveld and the Zambezi Valley and its environs. Take a malaria prophylactic and use a good insect repellant. See our Malaria Page for more information.

Tick Bite Fever. Ticks come out at the onset of the rainy season (November to April) and position themselves in grass ready to climb onto a host. They crawl slowly and cause no pain so often one is unaware of their presence. A good policy is to check all over after walking in the bush. Should a tick become attached, resist the temptation to pull it off, instead burn it with a match or cigarette end. Not all ticks cause tick-bite fever. The symptoms are similar to that of Malaria ie high temperatures and headaches.

Miscellaneous

Sunburn. The Zimbabwean sun burns in winter as well as summer. A good sun barrier cream, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses are good items to pack.

Drinking Water. Bottled water is readily available in supermarkets. It is advisable to boil tap water. To have a bottle of drinking water on hand at all times would be a good policy.

Food. Wash fruit and vegetables before eating, especially those bought from street vendors.
Meat from supermarkets and reputable butchers is safe.
Dairy products from supermarkets are safe.

Wild Animals are beautiful, but they can be dangerous. Enjoy them, appreciate them, but do not feed or provoke them.

Snakes would rather avoid confrontation by taking the escape route if there is one.
The exception is the sluggish puff adder which hisses in warning. It would strike if its warning went unheeded.

Spiders and Scorpions would also rather hide or escape. Campers be aware of the possibility of encountering such creatures. A shoe or a slipper could be an inviting new home.

Crocodiles. Apart from the danger of bilharzia, visitors are warned that crocodiles could also be on riverbanks and shorelines.