Cape Verde Health

Vaccinations

  Special Precautions
Diphtheria Yes
Hepatitis A Yes
Malaria Sometimes
Rabies Sometimes
Tetanus Yes
Typhoid Yes
Yellow Fever No*
Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be required, depending on the season and region visited.

* A certificate of vaccination is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Reports in November 2009 indicate significant outbreaks of dengue fever in Brava, Fogo, Maio, and São Tiago (Santiago).

Food and Drink

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. All drinking water should be bottled, boiled or carbonated. Water used for brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid all dairy products and food from street vendors. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks

Hepatitis E is highly endemic in sub-saharan Africa, but has very low occurrence in Cape Verde; precautions are still advisable. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic in the region. Vaccination against tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Giardia occurs.

Health Care

Health insurance, including emergency repatriation cover, is advised, although in-patient treatment is free in general wards on presentation of a passport. Treatment is private and expensive on the smaller islands.
Need some holiday inspiration?
Tired of the same holiday destination?
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to hear about the coolest destinations and the latest travel trends. Plus, competitions, holiday inspiration and amusing facts, delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter
Advertisement

Travel Deals

Advertising features
Travel Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Spot the holiday killer - Protect yourself from malaria. Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.

Quick links