Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers. Travelers' diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout Southern Africa and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Malaria is a serious, but preventable infection that can be fatal. Your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including cities. Prevent this deadly disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites. All travelers to malaria-risk areas in Southern Africa, including infants, children, and former residents of Southern Africa, are at risk for malaria. All travelers to a malaria-risk area should take one of the following drugs (listed alphabetically): atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or primaquine (in special circumstances). For additional information on malaria risk and prevention. Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent these diseases. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, is found in fresh water in this region. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in Southern African countries. Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and drive defensively. Avoid nighttime travel if possible and always use seat belts. There is no risk for yellow fever in Southern Africa. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain of these countries if you are coming from countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements. CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age): See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment. Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation. Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants.
To stay healthy, do... Wash hands often with soap and water. Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an "absolute 1-micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1-micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores. Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it. If you visit an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.) Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Pay special attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn. This is when the type of mosquito whose bite transmits malaria is active. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Use insect repellents that contain DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide). Read and follow the directions and precautions on the product label. Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Do not put repellent on wounds or broken skin. Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the eyes (DEET is toxic if swallowed). If using a spray product, apply DEET to your face by spraying your hands and rubbing the product carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, purchase a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin or deltamethrin. Or, spray the bed net with one of these insecticides if you are unable to find a pretreated bed net. DEET may be used on adults, children, and infants older than 2 months of age. Protect infants by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit. Children under 10 years old should not apply insect repellent themselves. Do not apply to young children's hands or around eyes and mouth. To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot. To avoid getting sick... Don't eat food purchased from street vendors. Don't drink beverages with ice. Don't eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized. Don't share needles with anyone. Don't handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). (For more information, please see the Animal-Associated Hazards on the Making Travel Safe page.) Don't swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer. (For more information, please see the Swimming Precautions on the Making Travel Safe page.) What you need to bring with you: Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear whenever possible while outside to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis). Insect repellent containing DEET. Bed nets impregnated with permethrin. (Can be purchased in camping or military supply stores. Overseas, permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes.) Flying-insect spray or mosquito coils to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes. Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea. Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Do's above for more detailed information about water filters. Sun block, sunglasses, hat. Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s).
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Botswana is a southern African country with a stable democratic government and a growing economy. Facilities for tourism are widely available. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. U.S. citizens are permitted stays up to 90 days without a visa. For additional information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, 1531 - 1533 New Hampshire Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, telephone (202) 244-4990/1, fax (202) 244-4164 or the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations, 103 E. 37th St., New York, NY, telephone (212) 889-2277, fax (212) 725-5061. There are also honorary consuls in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston. Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Botswana Embassy or Consulate. In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure. SAFETY AND SECURITY: Civil unrest and disorder are rare. CRIME: Violent crime remains relatively infrequent in Botswana, but appears to be on the rise in urban centers. Prudent security measures, such as house and car alarms and immobilizers should be used to deter residential burglaries and car theft. In addition, the rise of armed carjackings in Botswana over the past two years warrants increased vigilance while driving in urban areas, particularly after dark. Petty street crime and crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money and personal property, remain the most common forms of crime in Botswana. Visitors to Gaborone, as to any major city, should avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Gaborone and Francistown are adequate, but available facilities in other areas are limited. For advanced care, Americans often choose to travel to South Africa. Most prescription drugs are available. MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations. When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of 50,000 U.S. dollars. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers who have purchased overseas medical insurance have found it to be lifesaving when a medical emergency has occurred. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur.
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