Thanks to the dry climate and the constantly blowing wind, there are hardly any contagious diseases in Cape Verde, let alone epidemics. There are also very few dangerous animals such as snakes, so you can feel safe here.
The only thing to watch out for is the scolopendra (centipede, pt.: cempé), as its bite is often felt to be very painful (similar to a wasp sting).
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not compulsory for entry to Cape Verde and are generally not necessary.
Long-stay travellers often take general measures such as vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, polio, yellow fever and tetanus.
Dengue and Zika
In the months of August and September, as this is the rainy season, there are isolated cases of dengue and Zika in Praia, on the island of Santiago. The number of cases is very low, however.
Yellow fever
There is no yellow fever in Cape Verde, which is why no yellow fever vaccinations are necessary.
However, anyone who was in a yellow fever area less than 7 days before entering Cape Verde must show proof of a yellow fever vaccination. A yellow fever vaccination is also compulsory if you have made a stopover and spent more than 12 hours in a yellow fever country. Yellow fever occurs only in Africa and in parts of South and Central America.
Malaria
Cape Verde is a malaria-free country. In 2024 the World Health Organization (WHO) officially certified the Cape Verde islands as a malaria-free country.
A country can be declared malaria-free when it can demonstrate with reliable evidence that local malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted nationwide for at least the last three consecutive years. The country must also demonstrate that it is able to prevent transmission from resuming. Cabo Verde was able to meet these criteria.
Diarrhoeal illnesses
One phenomenon that will not be unfamiliar from other holiday countries is the famous “Montezuma’s revenge” (diarrhoea). Although hygiene conditions in Cape Verde have improved greatly in recent years and the water is monitored more strictly than before, travellers’ diarrhoea is not exactly uncommon. You can prevent it by avoiding unpeeled fruit, vegetables and tap water. When buying water, always make sure that the seal is intact, because Cape Verdeans are not always too particular about this and do sometimes refill bottles.
Medical care / costs
There are doctors or health centres (Unidade Sanitária de Base) on every island. There are hospitals on Sal, in Praia, on São Vicente and on Santo Antão. Pharmacies are very common in the towns (Farmacia / Posto de Venda EMPROFAC).
All medical services must be paid for in cash on the spot. It is therefore advisable to take out travel health insurance that reimburses the costs afterwards against an invoice. So keep your receipts!