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Health, Senegal

Edyta Osmani

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The general level of health in Dakar is good; however, city water is not potable. Meats should be well cooked and vegetables carefully prepared. Malaria is endemic in Senegal; chloroquine resistant malaria has been reported since 1989. Malaria prevention with mosquito repellent sprays and other barrier methods is important. It is imperative that all travelers check with their doctors and obtain one of the various forms of chemical prophylaxis such as chloroquine plus proguanil. However, mefloquine is the preferred tablet by the mission medical unit. Hepatitis A is common and may be prevented with gamma globulin. Polio and typhoid are present but present little risk to immunized travelers. HIV (the AIDS-related virus) is confirmed present in about 1 percent of the general population; as many as 40 percent of tested prostitutes are infected by for HIV (1989 data). The following immunizations should be current for travelers to Senegal:
ˇ diphtheria (10 yrs.)
ˇ tetanus (10 yrs.)
ˇ yellow fever (10 yrs.)
ˇ typhoid (3 yrs.)
ˇ polio (once/lifetime adult booster)
ˇ gamma globulin (1ml per month of travel, max. 5ml ea. 5 mos.)