Vaccinations and Medications

 

We recomend that you check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.

Note to All travelers: You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.
Routine vaccines	Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
Note to travelers: Get your travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases
Hepatitis A	We recommend this vaccine because you could get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Zambia & Zimbabwe, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
Malaria	You will need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria. Your doctor can help you decide which medicine is right for you, and also talk to you about other steps you can take to prevent malaria. See more detailed information about malaria in Zambia & Zimbabwe.
Typhoid	You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Zambia & Zimbabwe. We strongly recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.
Note to Some travelers: Always ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying and what you will be doing.
Hepatitis B	You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.
Rabies	Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Zambia and Zimbabwe, so CDC recommends this vaccine for the following groups: Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites. People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers). People who are taking long trips or moving to Zambia and Zimbabwe Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.
Yellow Fever	There is no risk of yellow fever in Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US. If you are traveling from a country other than the US, check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission. For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for Zimbabwe. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans.   Travellers between Zambia and South Africa require proof of a Yellow Fever Vaccination. You will be required to have the vaccination a minimum of 10 days before arrival, however the vaccination is valid for 10 years. There are no such requirements for Zimbabwe.   Health recommendation: we do not recommend yellow fever vaccine for most travelers to Zambia. However, you might consider this vaccine if you are staying a long time or will be heavily exposed to mosquitoes. Country entry requirement: The government of Zambia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever - see complete list: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans.

 

 

Avoid unnecesarry contact with animals

 

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

 

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

1. Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.

2. Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.

3. Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.

4. Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.

5. If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

 

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.

• Go to a doctor right away.

• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to your home country.

 

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

 

Information for travelers with children

Children love animals, but they are more likely than adults to suffer serious injuries if they are bitten or scratched. If you are traveling with a child, remind the child of these animal safety tips:

• Do not touch any animals without permission.

• Always tell an adult if the child has any contact with an animal. (Children may be afraid to tell if they think they will get in trouble.)

• Always tell an adult if the child sees a bat in a room. If you or a child wakes in a room with a bat, seek medical attention immediately.

 

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

 

Know how to get medical care while traveling

 

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

1. Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.

2. Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.

3. Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.

4. Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Zambia andZimbabwe’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.

5. Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

 

Malaria is a risk in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

 

Drugstores -- Drugstores are called chemists or pharmacies. In Livingstone: LF Moore Chemist is the establishment store on Akapelwa Street (tel. 260/213/32-1640). In Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls Pharmacy is located in Phumula Centre, Park Way (tel. 263/13/44403; Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 8am-noon). A drugstore in the Kingdom Hotel is open daily.

 

Electricity -- Electricity in southern Africa runs on 220/230V, 50Hz AC, and sockets in Zimbabwe and Zambia take flat-pinned plugs. Bring an adapter/voltage converter; note that some bush camps have no electricity.

 

Embassies & Consulates -- All offices are in the capital cities of Harare (Zimbabwe) and Lusaka (Zambia); if you have diplomatic problems, speak to your hotel manager and ask him to contact your country's local representative.

 

Emergencies -- Your hotel or lodge is your best bet for the safest medical and emergency care. Alternatively, contact Medical Air Rescue Service, a 24-hour emergency evacuation service (tel. 263/13/44764). For an ambulance, call tel. 44210; for the police, call tel. 44206; to report a fire, call tel. 44400; for general emergencies, call tel. 112 or 44206.

 

MARS - MEDICAL AIR RESCUE SERVICES - (West Dr., opposite Shoestring, Victoria Falls. 013/4-4646. www.mars.co.zw.)

 

Police (013/4-4206 or 013/4-4681.) OR 999 for emegencies. 

 

VICTORIA FALLS - Useful Numbers
Medical Centre	(+263 13) 43356
After hours	(+263 77) 48559
Victoria Falls Bridge (Customs and Immigration)	(+263 13) 44238
Police	(+263 13) 42206

Speciality Emergency Services (SES) - Zambia - Livingstone

Tel +260 213 322330
Cell: +260 97 7740307 / 8
E mail: seslivingstone@zamnet.zm

 

Information for travelers with children

• If you feed your child formula, bring enough for your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays.

• Double-check medical insurance for overseas coverage for the children who are traveling with you. Consider travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.

• Diarrhea in babies and young children can quickly lead to dehydration. Learn the signs and symptoms of dehydration, including what you can do and when you should see a doctor.

 

Information for travelers with chronic medical conditions

• When changing time zones, take medicine according to time between doses, rather than time of day. Set an alarm to help remind you when to take your medicine.

• Develop a plan for how to manage minor health problems or flare-ups of your chronic condition during your trip.

 

 

Information for travelers who are pregnant

• Pay extra attention to what your health insurance will cover abroad. When purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance, be sure that pregnancy-related issues will be covered. Many policies do not cover pregnancy-related problems.

• If you travel in the last 3 months of pregnancy, carry contact information for local hospitals or clinics that could manage pregnancy complications, and have a summary of prenatal care you have received. Travel health insurance may not cover birth or the newborn, should he or she need care.

• Determine whether you will need prenatal care while abroad. It is very important to maintain your schedule of prenatal visits, particularly those that require specific timing.

 

Maintain personal security

 

Although Victoria Falls and Livingstone are relatively safe, we recomend that you use the same common sense traveling here that you would in you home country, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

 

Before you leave (We recomemend you)

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.

• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.

• Pack as light as possible, and leave any item you could not replace.

 

While you are here

• Carry contact information for your nearest embassy or consulate.

• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.

• Follow all local laws and social customs.

• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelery.

• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.

 

Information for travelers with children

It’s a good idea to check your accommodations for potential hazards to children, such as exposed wiring or inadequate stairway or balcony railings.

Your children should carry their own identifying information and contact numbers, in case family members become separated. Develop a family plan for what to do in an emergency or if a child gets lost.

 

If you are the only parent traveling with the child, you may need to carry custody papers or a notarized permission letter from the other parent, as there is worldwide concern about child abductions.

 

Information for travelers with chronic medical conditions

Carry a letter from your doctor that describes your medical condition and any prescription medicines you take for it, including their generic names. When you pack your medicines, make sure they are in your carry-on luggage and are clearly labeled and in their original containers. Some prescription drugs that are legal in your home country may be illegal in other countries. If you need to take any prescription medicines with you on your trip, check with Zambia and Zimbabwe’s embassy in your country to verify that all your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.

 

Healthy Travel Packing List - Pack items for your health and safety.

1. Remember to pack extras of important health supplies in case of travel delays. This is especially important for items that may be difficult to get at your destination, like prescription medicines.

2. You may not be able to purchase and pack all of these items, and some may not be relevant to you and your travel plans. Some items, like your prescriptions, sunscreen, and insect repellent, should go with you on almost every trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

3. This list is general and may not include all the items you need. Some travelers may need additional health items, such as travelers who are pregnant, immune compromised, or traveling for a specific purpose like humanitarian aid work. Check our Traveler Information Center for more information if you are a traveler with specific health needs.

 

Medicines and Medical Supplies

Medicines/Medical supplies for existing conditions

• Prescription medications that you regularly take and copies of your prescriptions

• Eyeglasses and contacts, copies of your prescription for glasses/contacts. Consider packing spare glasses and contacts in case yours are damaged.

• Needles or syringes, such as for diabetes. (Requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery.)

• Inhalers

• Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens)

• Medical alert bracelet

 

Special prescriptions for the trip

• Antibiotic for travelers’ diarrhea

• Commercial suture/syringe kit to be used by local health care provider. (Requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery.)

• Medicine to prevent altitude sickness

• Medicines to prevent malaria, if appropriate

 

Over-the-counter medicines

• Antacid

• Diarrhea medicine (for example, loperamide [Imodium] or bismuth subsalicylate [Pepto-Bismol])

• Antihistamine

• Motion sickness medicine

• Cough drops

• Cough suppressant/expectorant

• Decongestant

• Medicine for pain and fever (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen)

• Mild laxative

• Mild sedative or other sleep aid

• Saline nose spray

 

Recomended supplies to make your journey more comfortable

• Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol

• Insect repellent

• Permethrin (insect repellent for clothing) - needed if spending significant times outdoors. Clothing can also be treated at home in advance.

• Bed net

• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) with UVA and UVB protection (essential)

• Sunglasses and wide brim hat for additional sun protection

• Safety equipment (for example, child safety seats, bicycle helmets)

• Earplugs

• Water purification tablets

• Latex condoms

• Power supply                                                                                                                                                

                            

First-Aid Kit

• 1% hydrocortisone cream

• Aloe gel for sunburns

• Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams

• Insect bite treatment (anti-itch gel or cream)

• Antiseptic wound cleanser

• Bandages (multiple sizes), gauze and adhesive tape

• Elastic/compression bandage wrap for sprains and strains

• Moleskin or molefoam for blisters

• Scissors and safety pins

• Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)

• Tweezers

• Digital thermometer

• Disposable gloves

• Eye drops

• Oral rehydration salts

 

Paperwork

• Health insurance card (your regular plan and/or supplemental travel health insurance plan) and copies of claim forms

• Proof of yellow fever vaccination (if required) or medical waiver

• Copies of all prescriptions, including their generic names

• Contact card with the street addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the following:

• Family member or close contact remaining in tyour home country

• Health care provider(s) at home

• Lodging at your destination

• Area hospitals or clinics, including emergency services

• Your native embassy or consulate in the destination country or countries

 

 Other items to consider:

 

A list of a few things you might want to consider packing for your trip in addition to your basic toiletries and clothes.

 

• Comfortable hiking boots in the event you're on a safari; encounters with snakes and insects are possible so boots will help protect your feet. However, if you're only exploring the falls and its vicinity then water proof shoes are the way to go as you may get wet from the spray from the falls. It is possible to wear sandals or slippers around town and the areas local to the falls.

• Sunscreen – A must, to protect the exposed parts of your skin from sunburn.

• Insect Repellent (preferably with DEET) - Mosquitoes

• Poncho or Raincoat - very useful for shielding yourself and/or your equipment getting drenched in the falls rainforest, you could hire or buy ponchos from local stores.

• Quick-drying Clothing - chances are, you're going to get wet from either sweat or spray from the falls or both! These clothes will at least help keep you relatively comfortable and even re-usable later on in the trip after initial use. Light Long sleeve and long pants for evenings to serve as an additional protection against both sunburn and mosquito bites.

• Lots of Memory or Film or Portable Hard Drive – you certainly will be taking loads of photos.

• Wide Angle Lens - useful for expansive landscape photos, especially for a waterfall as wide as Victoria Falls

• Telephoto Lens - if you're a wildlife buff, you'll want these to take photos of wild animals (big game, monkeys, baboons, snakes etc) in their natural habitat.

   

 

Travel Health Notices

 

There are no notices currently in effect for Zambia & Zimbabwe.

 

After Your Trip

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, visit your local hospital or doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling. If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return to your home country.  If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick. 

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return to your home country (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.