Before you pack your bags and head to Zanzibar and Pemba, you should be aware of some health risks and precautions that you need to take to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are some tips and advice on how to prepare for your health before travelling to Zanzibar and Pemba, based on the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Government of Tanzania.

 

Vaccines and Medicines

One of the most important things that you need to do before travelling to Zanzibar and Pemba is to check the vaccines and medicines that you may need. You should consult your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 8 weeks before your trip to get the necessary vaccinations and prescriptions. According to the CDC, the following vaccines are recommended for travellers to Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba:

• Routine vaccines: Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), varicella (chickenpox), polio, and influenza.
• COVID-19: All eligible travellers should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before travelling to Zanzibar and Pemba. You may also need to show proof of vaccination to enter the country or to board your flight. Check the entry requirements and the COVID-19 situation in Zanzibar and Pemba before you travel.
• Hepatitis A: This vaccine is recommended for all travellers to Zanzibar and Pemba, as there is a risk of hepatitis A infection from contaminated food or water.
• Hepatitis B: This vaccine is recommended for travellers who may have sexual contact with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures in Zanzibar and Pemba, as there is a risk of hepatitis B infection from blood or body fluids.
• Typhoid: This vaccine is recommended for travellers who may eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels in Zanzibar and Pemba, as there is a risk of typhoid infection from contaminated food or water.
• Cholera: This vaccine is recommended for travellers who may be exposed to cholera in Zanzibar and Pemba, especially in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. Cholera is a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
• Yellow fever: This vaccine is required for travellers who are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, such as Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda. You may also need to show proof of vaccination to enter Zanzibar and Pemba. Yellow fever is a viral infection that causes fever, headache, and jaundice, and can be fatal if not treated.
• Rabies: This vaccine is recommended for travellers who may have direct contact with animals, such as dogs, cats, bats, or monkeys, in Zanzibar and Pemba, as there is a risk of rabies infection from animal bites or scratches. Rabies is a viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system, and can be fatal if not treated.

In addition to the vaccines, you may also need to take some medicines to prevent or treat certain diseases in Zanzibar and Pemba, such as:

• Malaria: This is a parasitic infection that is transmitted by mosquito bites, and causes fever, chills, headache, and other symptoms. Malaria is prevalent in Zanzibar and Pemba, and can be fatal if not treated. You should take antimalarial drugs before, during, and after your trip, as prescribed by your doctor. You should also use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing, and sleep under a mosquito net to prevent mosquito bites.
• Travellers’ diarrhea: This is a common condition that affects travellers who eat or drink contaminated food or water, and causes abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Travellers’ diarrhea can be mild or severe, and can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. You should avoid eating raw or undercooked food, unpasteurized dairy products, and tap water or ice in Zanzibar and Pemba. You should also wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. You should carry oral rehydration salts and antibiotics to treat travellers’ diarrhea, as advised by your doctor.
• Schistosomiasis: This is a parasitic infection that is transmitted by freshwater snails, and causes skin rash, fever, headache, and other symptoms. Schistosomiasis is endemic in some freshwater lakes and rivers in Zanzibar and Pemba, and can cause chronic complications if not treated. You should avoid swimming, bathing, or wading in freshwater sources in Zanzibar and Pemba. You should also seek medical attention if you develop any symptoms of schistosomiasis.

 

Travel Health Insurance and Medical Services

Another important thing that you need to do before travelling to Zanzibar and Pemba is to get a travel health insurance that covers medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation in case of an emergency. You should also check the validity and coverage of your insurance, and carry a copy of your policy and contact details with you. You should also be aware of the medical services and facilities that are available in Zanzibar and Pemba, and how to access them if you need them.

According to the FCDO, the medical services and facilities in Zanzibar and Pemba are limited and may not meet the standards that you are used to. You may have to pay for any medical treatment upfront and in cash, and you may not be able to get the medicines or equipment that you need. You should also be prepared for the possibility of power cuts, water shortages, and communication problems that may affect the medical services and facilities. You should also be aware of the risk of counterfeit or substandard medicines that may be sold in some pharmacies or markets.

If you need medical attention in Zanzibar and Pemba, you should contact your insurance company, your tour operator, or your embassy or consulate for advice and assistance. You should also seek the nearest medical facility that can provide the care that you need. According to the NaTHNaC, some of the medical facilities that are available in Zanzibar and Pemba are:

• Mnazi Mmoja Hospital: This is the main public hospital in Zanzibar, located in Stone Town. It offers basic medical services, such as emergency, surgery, maternity, and laboratory. It also has a hyperbaric chamber for diving accidents. However, it may lack adequate staff, equipment, and supplies. You may have to pay a fee for the services, and you may have to wait for a long time or be referred to another facility.
• Zanzibar Medical Group: This is a private clinic in Zanzibar, located in Stone Town. It offers general medical services, such as consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and pharmacy. It also has a 24-hour emergency service and an ambulance. It accepts cash and credit cards, and it may be able to arrange direct billing with some insurance companies.
• Pemba Public Hospital: This is the main public hospital in Pemba, located in Chake Chake. It offers basic medical services, such as emergency, surgery, maternity, and laboratory. However, it may lack adequate staff, equipment, and supplies. You may have to pay a fee for the services, and you may have to wait for a long time or be referred to another facility.
• Pemba Flying Doctors: This is a private service in Pemba, located in Chake Chake. It offers air ambulance and medical evacuation services to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, or Nairobi. It also offers general medical services, such as consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and pharmacy. It accepts cash and credit cards, and it may be able to arrange direct billing with some insurance companies.

If you need medical evacuation or repatriation from Zanzibar and Pemba, you should contact your insurance company, your tour operator, or your embassy or consulate for advice and assistance. You should also be aware that the nearest international airport is in Dar es Salaam, which is about 80 km away from Zanzibar and 150 km away from Pemba. You may need to take a ferry, a boat, or a domestic flight to reach Dar es Salaam, and then take an international flight to your destination. You should also be prepared for the possibility of delays, cancellations, or changes in the transportation and flight schedules.

 

Stay Healthy and Safe

Besides getting the vaccines and medicines that you need, and getting a travel health insurance and knowing the medical services and facilities that are available, you should also follow some general tips and advice to stay healthy and safe in Zanzibar and Pemba, such as:

• Drink bottled or filtered water, and avoid tap water or ice. You can also boil or treat water with chlorine or iodine tablets to make it safe to drink.
• Eat cooked or peeled food, and avoid raw or undercooked food, especially meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. You can also wash fruits and vegetables with safe water or peel them before eating.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating or drinking, after using the toilet, and after touching animals or surfaces. You can also carry wet wipes or tissues to clean your hands when needed.
• Protect yourself from the sun, heat, and humidity. You should wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and light-colored clothing, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent sunburn, heatstroke, and dehydration. You should also avoid strenuous activities during the hottest hours of the day, and seek shade or air-conditioning when possible.
• Protect yourself from insect bites. You should use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and reapply it as directed. You should also wear long-sleeved clothing, and sleep under a mosquito net or in a screened or air-conditioned room to prevent mosquito bites. You should also avoid contact with other insects, such as flies, ticks, or fleas, that may carry diseases.
• Protect yourself from animal bites. You should avoid touching or feeding any animals, such as dogs, cats, bats, or monkeys, in Zanzibar and Pemba, as they may be infected with rabies or other diseases. You should also keep your distance from wild or domestic animals, and do not provoke or disturb them. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, you should wash the wound with soap and water, and seek medical attention immediately. You may need to get a rabies vaccine or a tetanus booster shot, depending on your vaccination status and the type of animal.
• Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You should practice safe sex by using condoms and dental dams, and avoid sharing needles or other injection equipment. You should also get tested for STIs before and after your trip, and seek medical attention if you have any symptoms of STIs, such as genital ulcers, discharge, or pain.
• Respect the local culture and laws. You should be aware that Zanzibar and Pemba are predominantly Muslim islands, and you should respect their culture and religion, especially during Ramadan, when most of the bars and clubs are closed or have limited hours. You should dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees, especially when visiting mosques, markets, or villages. You should not drink alcohol or smoke in public places, and do not display affection or intimacy in front of others. You should also follow the local laws and regulations, and avoid any involvement with drugs, prostitution, or illegal activities.

 

Sources

To help you find more information and updates, here are some of the sources we have referred to in this article:

• WHO – Tanzania: This page provides information on the health situation and services in Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba. https://www.who.int/countries/tza
• CDC – Tanzania: This page provides information on the health risks and recommendations for travellers to Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba, as well as travel notices. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania
• NaTHNaC – Tanzania: This page provides information on the health advice and requirements for travellers to Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba.  https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/220/tanzania#Vaccine_recommendations
• FCDO – Tanzania: This page provides information on the travel advice and safety for travellers to Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba as well as entry requirements. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania
• Government of Tanzania: This page provides information on the official website of the Government of Tanzania, where you can find the latest news and updates. https://www.tanzania.go.tz