Madagascar Bandiera della Madagascar

Cartina geografica della Madagascar

 General informations

Country Name

Republic of Madagascar

Continent

Africa

Surface area

587,051 km2

Capital

Antananarivo

Population

23,800,000 (approx.)

Language

French

Currency

Ariary (MGA)

Time zone

+2hrs compared to Italy

Area code for Italy

0039

Area code from Italy

00261

 Prevention

Yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all travellers over 9 months of age from high-risk countries or people who have transited for more than 12 hours at an airport in a high-risk country.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by contaminated food and water, or close physical contact with an infected person, whereas Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure to infected body fluids and blood.

Polio

Polio is typically transmitted by contaminated food and water and can be caused by three different types of polio viruses. Infections caused by one type of virus do not protect against the others.

Rabies

Infection typically occurs through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, usually caused by bites, scratches or licks near open wounds or mucous membranes (e.g. mouth, nose, eyes). The most common vectors are dogs and bats, but cases of infection in other domestic animals have also been reported.

Tetanus

Caused by toxins released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, the risk of tetanus infection is present throughout the country.

Typhus

Bacterial in origin, typhoid fever is transmitted through contaminated food and drink, especially in regions with inadequate sanitary conditions.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease of bacterial origin. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers at risk of developing severe symptoms or coming into contact with infected individuals. It is also recommended for all travellers under the age of 16, who plan to stay in the country for more than 3 months.

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitos and is widespread throughout the country. As a vaccine is still not available, you must take careful precautions to avoid mosquito bites and in some cases it may be necessary to take antimalarial medication, after thorough evaluation by a qualified doctor.

Dengue

This disease is spread by the bites of infected mosquitos and there is no vaccine. Consequently, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.

Insect bites and stings

Diseases such as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Rift Valley Fever, Leishmaniasis, African trypanosomiasis, and West Nile virus are present in some parts of East Africa. As these diseases are transmitted by insect bites and there are no vaccines, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.

The following vaccinations are strongly recommended as these diseases can be contracted anywhere in the world. Experts advise that you protect yourself and other travellers by making sure you are up-to-date with all of the recommended vaccinations. This will allow you to travel safely, while minimising the risk of exposure to infection.

 Territory and climate

Madagascar is an island state, located in the Indian Ocean southeast of Africa, opposite Mozambique.

The terrain is mostly mountainous and dominated by highlands and numerous volcanic reliefs that reach altitudes of 1,500 to 1,800 meters, and are mainly concentrated in the north, where the main peak of the Tsaratanana Massif (2,876 m) can be found. The reliefs descend steeply towards the eastern coast, with its numerous lagoons and sandy beaches, while to the west the land slopes more gently to the coastline overlooking the Mozambique Channel.

Temperatures are high all year round, even in the mountainous regions. Rainfall is abundant, with a rainy season from October to April. Tropical storms and cyclones may occur between December and April.

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