ZOCO KITESURFING ADVENTURES

KITESURFING HOLIDAYS IN THE RePUBLIC OF CAPE VERDE

KITESURFING HOLIDAY HAZARDS IN sal - CAPE VERDE

No vaccinations are required for entry to Cape Verde, however it is recommended that precautions be taken against typhoid fever, Hepatitis A and yellow fever (compulsory for travellers entering from a yellow fever infected area).

Quick links: Yellow Fever | Natural Hazards | Water Sports

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is an effective vaccine against yellow fever, so if you have been immunised, you can basically rule this disease out. Symptoms of yellow fever range from a mild fever which resolves over a few days to more serious forms with fever, headache, muscle pains, abdominal pain and vomiting. This can progress to bleeding, shock and liver and kidney failure. The liver failure causes jaundice, or yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes - hence the name. There's no specific treatment but you should seek medical help urgently if you think you have yellow fever.

Natural hazards

Droughts & dust
Cape Verde can suffer from prolonged droughts and the seasonal Harmattan wind produces obscuring dust.

The sun
Cape Verde is in the tropics, the sun is harsh and will burn you to a crisp if you are not sensible. Take proper precautions when going out in the sun especially when you are in the water. 5 basic things to remember:
1. Whenever possible wear a hat/baseball cap.
2. Sun block/sunscreen are your friend, get a SPF 45 for your face and arms.
3. Find some shade during the middle of the day
4. Wear polarized sun glasses.
5. Try and 'cover up' when not in the water.

Volcanically and seismically active
Cape Verde, similar to Hawaii, is an archipelago of volcanic islands. Although most islands now appear inactive, the island of Fogo is still active. Fogo erupted several times in the twentieth century, the last time in 1995.

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Watersports

Visitors traveling to Cape Verde who wish to participate in water sports, swimming, boating and fishing should note that the tides and currents around Cape Verde are very strong, so be careful.

If you're planning on surfing, kitesurfing or kitesurfing the reefs or places with huge tubey waves then local knowledge is very important. Be careful, ask a local or your guide before you go out.

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