HEALTH FACTS

 HEALTH INFO:

The health in Cape Verde really change from island to island, where the most advanced islands like sao Vicente e Sao Tiago have a good level or like Sal and Boavista that are equipped with new hospitals. For the rest of the archipelago, unfortunately, there is still a lot of work to do.
By the way the situation is very good in terms of "African standards" and also there are not great dangers of diseases. With little attention in food and "relationships" with other tourists visiting the archipelago there are nothing to be worried about. I personally been many times and apart of some "Montezuma days" I never had any problems plus I never took any particular vacinations, by the way, beore leaving, consult your doctor. Pharmacies are fully provided as in Western countries, but if you use any particular medication bring it with you.

In general we suggest that fruits and vegetables have to be eaten without risk of contamination and therefore should have a healthy appearance and especially the skin should not be worn (eg barrel or mold). In general, however, all food provided with a "skin" as its bananas, kiwi, etc. are to be considered safe.

Eat your meat and vegetables always well cooked. Remember that, when ordering a drink in bars and restaurants ask your drink without ice this because they produce the ice with water from the tap which is not fully potable.
If you come from high-risk areas such as the 'entral Africa, or some of Brazil areas you should have the International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever.

AIDS or SIDA:
A recent national survey indicated that the incidence of HIV among the population is 0.8% (1.1% for men and 0.4% for women). This means that there are about 1900 people infected by HIV. This rate is low for an African country. The numbers could increase with the increase of foreign tourists. Cape Verde has a little taboo against AIDS, and programs have been undertaken on the issue of education. 

MALARIA:
All the islands, with the exception of Santiago, are not affected by malaria, and Santiago itself suffers only between September and December.

DRUGS:
It is thought that around ten countries in West Africa are used as warehouses for cocaine en route to Europe, and Cape Verde is one of them. Now the international community decided to help the fights against drug traffic. Cape Verde has received aid for this purpos

e from Brazil, and the recent agreement with the European Union will allow the ships to assist the police in Cape Verde's territorial waters. The United States, are also helping to patrol the waters of Cape Verde, training and supporting its coast guard. Meanwhile, crime linked t

o drug trafficking has entered also in the lives of Cape Verde and lots of arrests have been made in all the islands and especially in the main airports.Special controlshave been made in the unhabitated islands that may be used as bases of support for the refueling of aircraft / boats used to transport drugs.