Africa Travel Health Guide: Vaccinations, Insurance & Essential Safety Tips
With current vaccinations and simple precautions, serious health risks in Africa are rare. Expect common issues like diarrhea, colds, or infected bites over exotic diseases such as Rift Valley or West Nile fever. Road accidents are the top injury concern due to poorly maintained vehicles, potholed roads, and prevalent drink-driving.
Credit
Dr Caroline Evans
Before You Go
Pre-Travel Checklist
- Schedule check-ups with your dentist and doctor, especially if you take regular medications or have chronic conditions like high blood pressure or asthma.
- Pack spare contact lenses, glasses, and your optical prescription.
- Prepare a comprehensive first-aid and medical kit.
- Arrange vaccinations well in advance—many require two weeks to take effect. Visit a doctor 4–8 weeks before travel and obtain an International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow booklet), mandatory for yellow fever in some countries.
- Join the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT; www.iamat.org) for lists of trusted English-speaking doctors.
- For remote travel, consider first-aid training from the Red Cross, St John's Ambulance, Royal Geographical Society (www.wildernessmedicaltraining.co.uk), or American Red Cross (www.redcross.org).
- Carry medications in original, labeled containers.
- Bring a signed physician's letter detailing conditions and medications (including generics).
- If carrying syringes or needles, include a doctor's letter confirming medical need.
Health Insurance
Verify if your policy pays providers directly or reimburses later—many African doctors require cash. Ensure coverage for emergency evacuation to major cities, regional facilities, or home (including air ambulance with attendant). Review contracts closely, as not all include this. Contact your insurer, hotel, embassy, or consulate in emergencies.
Recommended Vaccinations
The World Health Organization (www.who.int/ith) advises coverage for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and hepatitis B for all travelers. Update routines before departure to avoid severe outbreaks.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel) recommends for Africa: hepatitis A/B, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, typhoid, and boosters for tetanus/diphtheria/measles. Yellow fever certificate required in some areas.
Medical Checklist
Pack these essentials:
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin
- Acetazolamide (Diamox) for altitude sickness (prescription)
- Adhesive or paper tape
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen)
- Antibacterial ointment (e.g., Bactroban) for cuts (prescription)
- Antibiotics (prescription), e.g., ciprofloxacin (Ciproxin) or norfloxacin (Utinor)
- Antidiarrhoeal drugs (e.g., loperamide)
- Antihistamines (for allergies/hay fever)
- Antimalarials
- Bandages, gauze, rolls
- DEET-based skin repellent
- Iodine tablets (water purification)
- Oral rehydration salts
- Permethrin spray for clothing/nets
- Pocket knife
- Scissors, safety pins, tweezers
- Sterile needles/syringes/fluids (remote areas)
- Steroid/hydrocortisone cream (rashes)
- Sunblock
- Thermometer
For malaria zones (especially falciparum), pack a self-diagnostic finger-prick test kit.
Websites
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com), WHO (www.who.int/ith), MD Travel Health (www.mdtravelhealth.com), Fit for Travel (www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk).
Government sites:
Australia smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/health/Pages/default.aspx
Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
UK www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
USA wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Further Reading
- A Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine (Eric A Weiss; 1998)
- The Essential Guide to Travel Health (Jane Wilson-Howarth; 2009)
- Healthy Travel Africa (Isabelle Young; 2000)
- How to Stay Healthy Abroad (Richard Dawood; 2002)
- Travel in Health (Graham Fry; 1994)
- Travel with Children (Sophie Caupeil et al; 2015)
In Transit
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Prolonged immobility on flights risks leg blood clots (DVT), higher on long hauls. Clots may travel to lungs, causing severe issues. Symptoms: foot/ankle/calf swelling/pain (often one side), chest pain, breathing issues—seek immediate care.
Prevent: Walk cabin, do leg exercises, hydrate, skip alcohol.
Jet Lag & Motion Sickness
Crossing 5+ time zones? Combat insomnia/fatigue/nausea with fluids (non-alcoholic), light meals, sunlight exposure, quick schedule adjustment.
Motion sickness: Antihistamines (dimenhydrinate/Dramamine, meclizine/Antivert) or ginger (tea/biscuits).
In Africa
Availability & Cost of Health Care
Urban centers offer quality care; rural areas vary. Buy OTC drugs easily, but beware counterfeits (e.g., antimalarials, antibiotics). Bring chronic meds/contraception—local condoms may be substandard. HIV risk from transfusions; use BloodCare (www.bloodcare.org.uk). Evacuation costs soar—insurance essential.
Infectious Diseases
Cholera
Rare for travelers; spikes in disasters. Spread: Contaminated water. Symptoms: Severe watery diarrhea causing collapse. Prevent/Treat: Safe water/food; fluids/antibiotics professionally.
Dengue Fever (Break-Bone Fever)
Present: Sudan, Cameroon, DRC, etc. Spread: Mosquitoes. Symptoms: Flu-like fever/headache/muscle pain/rash; severe cases fatal. Prevent/Treat: Avoid bites; paracetamol/rest.
Diphtheria
Present: Widespread. Spread: Respiratory. Symptoms: Sore throat/fever/membrane. Prevent/Treat: Vaccine (10 years); no self-treat.
Malaria
Present: Most Africa (rare >2000m). Spread: Anopheles bites; falciparum dominant. Symptoms: Flu-like, progressing to jaundice/coma/death. Prevent/Treat: Consult clinic for prophylaxis; assume fever is malaria—seek hospital. Standby treatment for remote areas; self-test kits advised.
Tap Water
- Boil/filter/chemically treat (except South Africa).
- Avoid streams/rivers/lakes.
- Pumps/wells risky near animals.
