Zambia
About Zambia
| Currency | Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) |
| Language | English |
| Capital | Lusaka |
The Republic of Zambia is located in southern Africa between the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and Zimbabwe to the south. The population is approximately 13.8 million people. The population is concentrated mainly around Lusaka in the south and the Copperbelt to the northwest. Although the official language is English, many officially recognised regional languages are spoken (Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Lunda, Kaonde, Luvale, and Chichewa).
The government of Zambia is a republic with a president as chief of state and head of government. The president is elected by popular vote.
In 1924 this territory was under the British Colonial Office. In 1953, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was formed from remnants of lands, and boundaries were drawn with no consideration for tribal areas and lands or natural boundaries. The lack of cohesiveness led to constant political turmoil for a long period of time. This Federation dissolved in 1963, and in 1964, what was formerly Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zambia.
Zambia’s economy has depended on copper mining and exports and, therefore, has had strong growth with high copper prices in recent years. Despite the strong copper sector, Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries and still struggles with high poverty rates, with a majority of the population living below the poverty line. Zambia’s economy is also impacted by high birth rates and a very high incidence of HIV/AIDS. The country has received thousands of refugees fleeing the fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country’s strong reliance on the copper and mining sector also makes the economy vulnerable to any fluctuations in the price of copper.
The tourism sector in Zambia is small, but in 2007, the parliament passed a mandate to promote and market Zambia as a tourist destination. Zambia has wildlife parks and also Victoria Falls in the southwest. The Zambezi River contains rare species of fish, and the country has diverse species of birds.
Recommended Vaccinations For Zambia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.
Polio Vaccine
Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination taken 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Cholera Vaccine
The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources my be contaminated.
Recommended Medications For Zambia
For Some Travellers
Anti-malarial Drugs
Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Zambia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A
There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Zambia through contaminated food or water.
Chikungunya Fever
Chikungunya fever occurs in this country.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever outbreaks occur in Zambia.
Cholera
Cholera outbreaks occur in Zambia. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in Zambia.
Hepatitis B
There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Zambia.
For Some Travellers
Rabies
Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.
Polio
Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF)
Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.
African Tick Bite Fever
This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.
Measles
There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Malaria
All areas of Zambia are at risk for malaria, including Lusaka.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is found in Zambia. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.
Typhoid Fever
Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Zambia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Yellow Fever
This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.
Sleeping Sickness (Type 2)
African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) only occurs in rural Zambia. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.
Safety & Security in Zambia
Personal Safety
When travelling in Zambia, be alert and aware of personal safety in your surroundings due to the high level of crime in the country. Tourists can be at risk of petty crime, such as pick-pocketing. Valuables, passports, and travel documents should be kept safe and out of sight at all times. Avoid showing signs of affluence, such as expensive clothing. Armed muggings can also occur, particularly in urban areas and transportation hubs. Avoid walking alone after dark.
Do not accept food or drink or packages from strangers. There have been some reports of the use of the date rape drug in Lusaka.
Illegal drug trafficking occurs. Trafficking is defined as the possession of more than .5 grams of an illegal substance. There are severe penalties for drug-related offences.
Safety risk increases after dark. Do not walk alone after dark. When driving, keep doors and windows closed and locked. Avoid driving after dark outside main towns. Vehicles may not be well maintained and may not meet safety standards, and drivers may not follow standard rules of the road. It is illegal to talk on cell phones when driving and also illegal to drink and drive. Road conditions outside the main towns may be poor.
Public transportation can be dangerous due to unsafe vehicles, unsafe driving standards, and poor road conditions.
Same-sex relations are illegal in Zambia. Anyone caught engaging in same-sex behaviours could receive a long prison sentence.
It is illegal to photograph sites that could be considered sensitive, such as military installations, military personnel, government buildings or infrastructure such as bridges.
Extreme Violence
Although there have been no terrorist attacks in the recent past, the threat of terrorism cannot be ruled out.
Political Unrest
Minimize safety risk by avoiding public and political gatherings and demonstrations in any city since even peaceful protests can quickly and unexpectedly become violent.
Areas To Avoid
If possible, avoid all travel to areas bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Angola due to border conflicts and the risk of land mines.
