* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Hepatitis E is present and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Diarrhoeal illnesses are common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Meningococcal meningitis is particularly prevalent during the dry season in December, especially in the north of the country. Vaccination is strongly recommended. There is also a high incidence of HIV/AIDS; sensible precautions should be taken. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Full health insurance is essential, and should include air evacuation to Europe in case of serious accident or illness. Medical facilities are severely limited outside the major centres and visitors should travel with their own supply of remedies for simple ailments such as stomach upsets: pharmaceutical supplies are usually very difficult to obtain.