Uganda Health Tips
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information contained in this Web site is intended, solely to provide
general information for the personal use of the reader, who accepts
full responsibility for its use Before travel to Uganda, Make sure you, your group or your children are up to date on all routine immunizations according to schedules approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) or according to your doctor or GP’s advise. You are advised to see your doctor as early as you can at least 4–6 weeks before your trip or safari to allow time for shots and jabs to take effect. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave for your trip to Uganda or East Africa, you should still see your doctor. It might not be too late to get your shots (jabs) or medications as well as other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while travelling. The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Africa but discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider, doctor or JP to determine which vaccines you need. ●Yellow Fever All visitors to Uganda are advised to have a yellow fever vaccination at designated yellow fever centres where an international certificate of vaccination will be issued and is valid for ten years after vaccination. The certificate is required for entry into Uganda and other countries particularly in East Africa. It is recommended that the traveller carry the certificate along with his or her passport when travelling to countries at risk. ●Typhoid Original typhoid vaccine is given in two doses at intervals of four to six weeks and gives immunity for up to three years. 0.5ml is given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection or 0.1ml by intradermal injection. This vaccine induces a mild form of the illness which can be very unpleasant in certain cases. Typhim Vi is a single dose vaccine where 0.5ml is given by deep subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Immunity lasts for approximately three years. Vivotif is a live oral vaccine contained in an enteric coated capsule. The vaccine is taken as three doses of one capsule on alternate days. The capsules should be stored in a refrigerator between doses. Protection begins seven to ten days after the last dose. ●Tetanus The Department of Health recommends administration of reinforcing (booster) doses at ten year intervals, with the administration of further doses in the event of injuries that may give rise to tetanus. 0.5ml is given by deep subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The Department of Health advised in 2002 that tetanus vaccine is to be replaced by the combined tetanus/low dose diphtheria vaccine for adults and adolescents for routine use and for travel vaccination. Stocks of single tetanus vaccine are now exhausted and companies are no longer supplying this product. ●Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. Havrix Monodose is an inactivated vaccine prepared from the hepatitis A virus. A single 1ml dose is given intramuscularly to give immunity up to one year. To obtain immunity up to ten years a second booster dose is given between six and twelve months of the original. Human Normal Immunoglobulin (HNIG) contains antibodies to Hepatitis A and will give protection for up to three months. 2ml of vaccine is administered by deep intramuscular injection. Malaria Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in Uganda and other East African countries, including cities. All travelers to Uganda East Africa, including infants, children, and former residents of East Africa, may be at risk for malaria. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites . All travelers should take one of the following drugs:· atovaquone/proguanil, · doxycycline, · mefloquine, or · primaquine (in special circumstances). For additional information on malaria risk and prevention, see websites listed bellow Food and Waterborne Diseases Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travellers in Uganda and East Africa. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout East Africa and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting Avoid buying food or drink from street vendors, because it is relatively easy for such food to become contaminated. |