Vanuatu

The type of prophylaxis recommended depends on the length of stay, your personal medical background, and the area you wish to visit. Advice about malaria prevention is tailored to the individual. Contact the Travel Clinic Erasmus MC to make an appointment. Call: +31 (0)10 - 704 5050 (local costs).

Information about DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio). Persons born after 1950 have almost all received vaccinations as a child. In general a booster-injection is sufficient. Older persons who have not been vaccinated, or where this is not known, should have the full series of three injections.

Typhoid is a serious infectious disease that is transmitted through food. It is accompanied by high fever and without treatment the disease can be fatal. Although the vaccination does not offer 100% protection the disease is generally less severe after vaccination.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease which occurs as a childhood disease in tropical countries. Dutch nationals who were born after the war will probably not have experienced the disease. The Hepatitis A virus is transferred through food and is often found in seafood and raw vegetables. Adults can become very ill and take a long time to recover. Vaccination offers very good protection.

Hepatitis B is one of the most serious infectious diseases in the world. It is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and sexual relations. Hepatitis B is very contagious. A vaccine can be given in a series of three injections. The blood can then be tested to show the level of anitbodies. If this is sufficient then protection is lifelong.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium. Infection is spread by coughing. Prevention is better than cure: If you are planning to spend 6 months or longer in a country where tuberculosis is common then the BCG vaccine is recommended, provided you have not previously had the disease or the vaccination. Vaccination does not reduce the chance of contracting TB but if does offer protection against the more serious symptoms of the disease and improves the chances of recovery.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease accompanied by high fever, headache and muscle aches. A rash also often occurs. There is no treatment for Dengue and in general patients recover well with time. The mosquito that transmits dengue is active during the day. Taking appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites is an effective way to protect against the disease.

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites. There are four types of Malaria, of which only tropical malaria is potentially fatal. To prevent contracting the disease you should protect yourself against mosquito bites and in certain areas anit-malaria drugs are recommended.