Main health risks for São Tomé and Príncipe

Diseases transmitted by insects or animals

The whole country is malarial and the risk is high; strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3).

Outbreaks of yellow fever can occur at any time.

There are episodically outbreaks of dengue fever and of chikungunya. Both are a mosquito-borne disease. Symptoms are fever, headache, rash, muscle and joint pain, nausea. Dengue, in severe cases, may cause hemorrhagic manifestations. In case of Chikungunya the pain associated with the infection of the joints may persist for weeks or months.

Diseases transmitted by food, water or through the environment

Diarrheic diseases are frequent among travelers who do not take precautions. E. Coli is highly endemic in the country.

A cholera outbreak was quickly stabilized in April 2005.

Due to the risk of schistosomiasis and other parasitic infestations, travelers are advised not to bathe in fresh waters (lake, rivers.) and should not walk bare-foot.

Diseases transmitted by contact with infected people

The country is currently affected by the ongoing outbreak of influenza A / H1N1, but its severity does not appear different from the rest of the world. Worldwide, the vast majority of H1N1 illnesses have been mild, and most deaths have occurred among pregnant women or among people with underlying medical conditions, including respiratory conditions, diabetes, heart disease and immune deficiency.