Travelers should also take insect repellent with them to use on any exposed areas of the skin. Travelers should also purchase a flying insect-killing spray to use in living and sleeping areas during the evening and night. If applied according to the directions, permethrin will repel insects from clothing for several weeks. Traveler's diarrhea is the most frequent health problem for travelers. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites which are found universally throughout the region.
Transmission is most often through contaminated food or water.
Travelers to Southern Africa are at risk for typhoid fever, especially when traveling to smaller cities, villages, or rural areas. By drinking only bottled or boiled water and eating only thoroughly cooked food, a traveler lowers the risk of infection. Therefore, even vaccinated travelers should be cautious in selecting their food and water. Two available vaccines provide equivalent protection against typhoid fever. The oral vaccine consists of 4 capsules taken every other day over a seven day period.