Mozambique Health Care and Vaccinations
| Title | Special precautions |
|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | No * |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Malaria | Yes ** |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
* Yellow fever: There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in Mozambique. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged one year and over arriving from, or transiting for more than 12 hours through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
** Malaria: Malaria is present throughout Mozambique. Antimalarial medication is recommended for travellers, together with measures to prevent mosquito bites.
Health Care
Healthcare facilities in Mozambique are limited, particularly outside Maputo and other major cities. Public hospitals and clinics provide basic medical care, while private hospitals and clinics in Maputo generally offer higher standards of treatment and are more commonly used by visitors and expatriates.
Medical facilities may lack specialist equipment, medicines and adequately trained staff, especially in rural areas. Serious illnesses or injuries may require medical evacuation to South Africa or another country with more advanced healthcare facilities.
Pharmacies are available in the larger towns and cities, but supplies of medicines can be inconsistent. Travellers should carry sufficient quantities of any essential prescription medication in its original packaging, together with a copy of the prescription.
Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Medical facilities often require payment before treatment is provided, even when travellers have insurance.
Food and Drink
Tap water in Mozambique is not safe for visitors to drink. Bottled, boiled or properly filtered water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice, particularly outside major hotels and cities.
Food hygiene standards vary. Food should be thoroughly cooked and served hot, while raw or undercooked meat, seafood and shellfish should be avoided. Care should be taken with food sold by street vendors where hygiene and storage conditions are uncertain.
Fruit and vegetables should be washed with safe water or peeled before consumption. Unpasteurised milk and dairy products should be avoided, and travellers should ensure that ice in drinks has been made from safe water.
Cholera outbreaks occur periodically in Mozambique, particularly following flooding and during the rainy season. Travellers should pay careful attention to food hygiene, handwashing and the use of safe drinking water.
Other Risks
Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is present in many freshwater lakes and rivers, including parts of the Zambezi River system. Travellers should avoid swimming or wading in freshwater unless local authorities confirm that it is safe.
Mosquitoes can transmit diseases including dengue fever and chikungunya, in addition to malaria. Insect repellent, long-sleeved clothing and mosquito nets are recommended, particularly during the rainy season and in coastal areas.
Cyclones, flooding and heavy rainfall can occur during the rainy season, particularly between November and April. Travellers should monitor local weather forecasts and follow official advice when severe weather is expected.
Heat-related illness and dehydration are risks throughout much of the year, especially in coastal and lowland areas. Travellers should drink plenty of safe water, avoid excessive sun exposure during the hottest part of the day and use appropriate sun protection.