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Other vaccine preventable risks
The following vaccinations may be considered depending on your itinerary and planned activities. These can be discussed in more detail with one of our travel health consultants.
Cholera
Hepatitis B
Meningitis (ACWY)
Rabies
Tuberculosis
Malaria risk
There is substantial Malaria risk throughout the whole country and anti-malarial prophylaxis is always advised.
Non-vaccine preventable risks
- Travellers' Diarrhoea is usually caused by eating contaminated food or drinking unsafe water. Symptoms may be severe with frequent watery stools, thirst, dry mouth and tongue, headache and weakness. Water should always be treated when there is doubt about its cleanliness. Food that may be contaminated must be thoroughly cooked and hands washed prior to eating.
- HIV infection is spread through sexual intercourse or infected blood or blood products (eg. through blood transfusions or the use of contaminated instruments such as intravenous needles).
- Leptospirosis is spread through the faeces of infected rodents especially rats. It is unusual for travellers to be affected unless living in poor sanitary conditions.
- Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) is spread through the fresh water snail. The larvae produced by the snails can swim and seek out human skin and find their way into the bladder and intestine. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, blood in urine and stools. Paddling or swimming in suspect fresh water lakes or slow running rivers should be avoided.
- Chikungunya fever is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, severe joint pain &/or a generalised rash. Precautions must be taken to prevent mosquito bites, as there is no vaccine available against Chikungunya fever.
- Filariasis is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms may include fever and skin inflammation. Precautions must be taken to prevent mosquito bites, as there is no vaccine available against Filariasis.
- Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness) is spread through the tsetse fly found south of the Sahara and north of the Zambesi river. A simple boil like reaction may occur at the site of the bite, followed by generalised rash, fever and progressive neurological symptoms. Travellers to these areas should be aware of the risk and avoid contact with infected flies where possible.
- Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is spread through the bite of a small black fly which breeds in fast flowing water. It can cause a skin rash with intense itching which usually occurring months or years later post exposure. Occasionally the eye can be affected. Camping near rivers should be avoided and precautions taken against bites.
- Ebola and Marbung Fevers are severe feverish illnesses with uncertain sources. The risk to travellers is highest if living in unsanitary conditions, and Ebola fever has been associated with the handling of infected bush meat.