Risk / Health Info for Madagascar

What vaccinations should I get for Madagascar

Global Travel Clinics can help you work out what injections you need to go to Madagascar. Sanitation is patchy, so it is safer to stick to boiled or bottled water, and ensure that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid.

Rabies occurs in Madagascar and can be caught from an animal bite, particularly dogs and bats. If you are going to a remote region or if you will be working with animals consider getting a rabies vaccine. Children should also be vaccinated against rabies as they may get bitten while playing with animals, often on the face or neck. Seek urgent medical advice about an animal bite or scratch in Madagascar, even if you have been vaccinated against rabies.

Certain travellers should consider a hepatitis B vaccine when they go to Madagascar. Frequent and long-stay travellers should ask about a hep B vaccination. Also, anyone who is going to Madagascar to work in a healthcare setting, including dentistry or in a lab that handles bodily fluids. Children should be protected against hepatitis B with a vaccine as they can pick it up via scratches and grazes. Hep B is also contracted through recreational intravenous drug use and unprotected sex. Another infection route is invasive medical or cosmetic procedures.

What hospital facilities are there in Madagascar?

The private hospitals in Antananarivo can provide routine medical care but for evacuation will be necessary for anything complex. Ensure you have up-to-date travel insurance before you go to Madagascar.

The emergency number in Madagascar is 17 (117 from mobile phone).

Recent disease outbreaks in Madagascar

Syphilis is not uncommon in Madagascar: about 6% of the population have it. Around 500 cases of plague are reported annually – but these occur mainly during the rainy season.

Altitude in Madagascar

Parts of Madagascar are higher than 2,400m, and travellers planning to spend time at a high altitude should take steps to protect themselves against the potentially life-threatening acute mountain sickness. Your healthcare provider can help with this.

Dengue fever in Madagascar

There have been cases of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever in Madagascar. Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever because of the severe bone, joint and muscular pains it causes, in addition to flu-like fever and headache. There is no vaccine for dengue fever. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Sleeping with mosquito nets is also recommended.

Schistosomiasis in Madagascar

The schistosomiasis parasite enters humans through the skin during contact with fresh water. To prevent infection, avoid swimming or paddling in lakes and streams in Madagascar. This condition is also known as bilharzia.