The Government of Zanzibar has corrected a previous Communication on obligation to submit a certificate of yellow fever vaccination for all travelers entering the island.
The background: According to a note from our Ministry of Health, dated February 2, 2011, "the Government of Zanzibar has communicated the obligation of the presentation by all those arriving on the island, a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. "The statement does not specify the reason for this decision.
Yesterday, after a brief investigation I was able to acquire thanks to the kindness of a fellow Norwegian, the text originally published the release of the Government of Zanzibar. This is a note signed by Dr. Mohammed S. Jiddawi, the Ministry of Health of Zanzibar, to the Director-General of the Tourism Commission of the island (N. MOH/WA/J.20/7 Protocol of 26.01.2011).
Here's the translation:
"This is to inform you about an outbreak of yellow fever reported in northern Uganda, which has to date 266 cases and 53 deaths. This is a serious viral disease with high lethality, transmitted by a mosquito called Anopheles [here there is a mistake: in fact Anopheles is the vector of malaria, NDT]. Anyway the disease is preventable with a single dose of an injectable vaccine, which confers immunity to ten years against the disease.
By this I ask you to inform all tour operators, local and international, does the [Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors] the ZATO [ Zanzibar Association of Tour Operators] and all airlines, that a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever will be performed at entry points in Zanzibar, such as airport, port and others. I beg to inform you that this is an appropriate measure to protect the safety of tourists. "
On February 3, however, something new happens. A statement from the Ministry of Health of the Government of Zanzibar, signed by the Secretary-General Juma R. Juma, correcting the previous note and reads as follows:
"We write in reference to our letter dated January 26, 2011 with registration number MOH/WA/J.20/8 on the certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. There Please note that this replaces the previous letter in response to a correction that was made.
In this respect, we kindly ask you to inform all those involved in tourism activities and trips that all travelers arriving from endemic areas inclusive Africa and South America should be vaccinated against yellow fever and produce the certificate at points of entry to Zanzibar. travelers arriving directly from countries not endemic in Europe and North America are not obliged to submit the certificate, vaccination is still highly recommended for their safety. "
does not appear that the epidemic has led to the import of Ugandan cases in Zanzibar. So, for those who went in ' island, there seems to be an increased risk of infection.
Both notices are on the letterhead of the Government of Zanzibar, in fact the island, although part of Tanzania, has a certain autonomy, having a government and several ministries.
Zanzibar is a tourist destination that attracts many visitors from all Western countries. Vaccination against yellow fever is not normally recommended by the Centers Travel Medicine to direct tourists to Zanzibar, as the risk is considered extremely low.
At the moment, despite the second note of the Government of Zanzibar to recommend the vaccination, there is no evidence suggestive of an increased risk for tourists to island.
Links:
The statement of the Italian Ministry of Health: http://www.sanita.it/Malinf_gestione/Rischi/documenti/303-11.pdf
Epidemic Information yellow fever in Uganda:
Note the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
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