Orange trees and green hills in Africa The Savannah in Africa

Travel Vaccinations for Cape Verde

Vaccines To Consider When Visiting Cape Verde

A consultation will be completed with one of our specialist travel health nurses to assess your individual travel plans and health background before making recommendations, which can then be administered during the same appointment.

Hepatitis A - Adult
From £79
Typhoid vaccine
From £49
Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio
From £49

Vaccines Advised To Some Cape Verde Visitors

Hepatitis B
From £59
Rabies IM
From £89
There is a risk of Malaria in Cape Verde. London Travel Clinic offers a range of antimalarials to keep you protected

Book Your Vaccinations For Cape Verde Online

Book Now
Buffalo in a herd in Africa

Destination Information for Cape Verde

Cape Verde on the West Coast of Africa is a country formed by a group of ten islands. Its inhabitants are known to be some of the richest, most well-educated and politically liberal on the continent. Cape Verde is a popular holiday destination both for tourists looking for a relaxing beach holiday in a luxury resort, and for those looking for a rural getaway in the country’s spectacular mountainous regions. The climate is warm and dry, so even during the rainy season from August to October you’re likely to experience plenty of sun.

If you’re visiting for the vast, unspoilt beaches of Cape Verde, head to Santiago Island, where the capital city, Praia is located, along with the majority of the country’s population. The islands of Sal and Boa Vista are also popular with sun-lovers, with water-sports and villa resorts in abundance. For those looking for a quieter retreat, Brava Island is accessible only by boat, and makes for the perfect base for quiet contemplation. The rural São Nicolau is also a laid-back destination for those more interested in seeing mountains and agriculture than sun-loungers and cocktails.

Action-packed trips to Cape Verde can include kite-surfing, water-sports, hiking, volcano watching on Fogo and canyoning in Santo Antao. Visitors arriving early in the year from February to May will enjoy amazing whale-watching, while those who come from June to October are treated to the sight of nesting turtles on the sandy beaches.

As you enjoy the Cape Verde sunshine, it is important you have been given the right travel vaccinations prior to your journey. Recommended vaccines include hepatitis A and typhoid, along with tetanus, diphtheria and polio. You should book a consultation at a travel clinic to have these administered and consider rabies and hepatitis B risk factors.

Infections and Outbreaks frequently change from country to country and by attending our clinics you will be given the most up to date clinical and safety advice from our team of specialists. Our advice to you often includes aspects such as:

Malaria and regions within country:

There is a very low risk of malaria throughout the country. Anti-malarial medication is not normally advised.

Book Now

Non Vaccinated Diseases

Rift Valley fever

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute, fever-causing viral disease that usually affects domesticated animals (such as cattle and sheep), but can also infect and cause illness in humans. The majority of human infections are caused by direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is primarily spread to humans either by infected ticks or animal blood. Human-to-human transmission can also occur resulting from close contact with the blood, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person.

West Nile virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by mosquitoes in many countries. There are usually no symptoms, although some people develop mild flu-like symptoms, nausea and skin rash. The virus is not contagious and should get better without any treatment.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25
Natural Mosquito Repellent - 100ml
£7.75

Zika virus

Zika virus is usually transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes are most active during the day, especially during mid-morning, then late afternoon and dusk through to evening. For most people it's a very mild infection with minor or no symptoms, but is more of a risk to pregnant woman as it could result in certain birth defects.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25
Natural Mosquito Repellent - 100ml
£7.75

African tick bite fever

Bacterial infection from bite from infected ticks. Most common between April-November and in rural, camping and hiking areas. Causes redness around site of bite and symptoms usually within 2 weeks, such as fever, muscle pain, headache and rash.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and it causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Joint pain is often debilitating and can vary in duration. The disease shares some clinical signs with Dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where Dengue is common. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems Bed Bug Barrier Bedsheet
£12.99
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25

Leishmaniasis

A parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of an infected sandfly. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (the most common): Causes skin lesions, mainly ulcers on exposed parts of the body, causing scars and serious disability. 90% of cases are in the Americas, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East and Asia. Visceral Leishmaniasis (the most dangerous): Causes enlarged spleen and liver, anaemia, weight loss and irregular bouts of fever. Highly endemic in the Indian Subcontinent and East Africa. Mucotaneous (the least common): Causes partial or total destruction of the mucous membranes in the nose, mouth and throat. Most cases are found in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25

Trypanosomiasis

Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tsetse fly, which is only found in rural Africa. Initial symptoms include severe headache, insomnia, enlarged lymph nodes, anaemia and rash.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25
Natural Mosquito Repellent - 100ml
£7.75

Additional Health Risks Information for Cape Verde

The crime rate in Cape Verde is generally low, however street crime and petty incidents do occur, particularly on the main tourist islands of Sal and Boa Vista. Keep your belongings with you at all times and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive jewellery. Avoid walking around in unfamiliar areas after dark, and take the same basic precautions with regard to your personal safety as you would anywhere else.

If you’re hiring a car to get around your chosen Cape Verde island destination, the driving conditions are reasonable, and roads well-maintained. The rainy season from August to October can bring issues with flash flooding and landslides, so it’s advisable to check the local conditions before you set out. Tides and currents around the islands can be very strong, and the sea conditions often dangerous. If you’re swimming, diving or snorkelling, you should take particular care, and if you’re planning to travel by boat between the islands check local warnings and advice beforehand.

The largest hospitals are in Praia, on the main island of Santiago, and Mindelo, on the smaller Ilha de Sao Vincente. There are smaller facilities elsewhere although these may have limited supplies of equipment and medicines. The island of Boavista has particularly scarce resources for medical care. Cape Verde has been identified as at risk of the Zika virus outbreak.  It is advisable to visit a Travel clinic to get the necessary vaccines and advice before you travel.

Book Now

Latest Cape Verde Articles

View of Puerto Rico's beach with pink flowers in front. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Winter Holiday Destinations And How To Stay Safe When Visiting

Freezing temperatures, scraping the car every morning, gloomy skies and the depressing sight of darkness as you drive to work, welcome to winter in the UK folks! With all of that in mind, there’s no surprise that so many Britons …

Read More