Malawi Health Care and Vaccinations
| Title | Special precautions |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | Yes ** |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | No * |
* Yellow fever: There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in Malawi. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged one year and over arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, including travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country.
** Malaria: Malaria is present throughout Malawi, including urban areas, and antimalarial medication is recommended for travellers. Measures to prevent mosquito bites should also be taken.
Health Care
Public hospitals and clinics in Malawi provide basic medical care, while private hospitals and clinics in the larger cities generally offer better facilities and are more commonly used by visitors and expatriates.
Medical facilities may lack specialist equipment, medicines and adequately trained staff, particularly in rural areas. Serious illnesses or injuries may require medical evacuation to South Africa or another country with more advanced healthcare facilities.
Pharmacies are available in the main cities and towns, but supplies of medicines can be unreliable. Travellers should carry sufficient quantities of any essential prescription medication in its original packaging, together with a copy of the prescription.
Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended. Medical facilities may require payment before treatment is provided, even when travellers have insurance.
Food and Drink
Tap water in Malawi is not recommended for visitors. Bottled or properly filtered water should be used for drinking and brushing teeth.
Food hygiene standards vary. Food should be thoroughly cooked and served hot, while raw or undercooked meat, fish and shellfish should be avoided. Care should be taken with food sold by street vendors where hygiene and storage conditions are uncertain.
Fruit and vegetables should be washed with safe water or peeled before consumption. Unpasteurised milk and dairy products should be avoided, and travellers should check that ice in drinks has been made from safe water.
Cholera outbreaks occur periodically in Malawi, particularly during the rainy season and in areas with inadequate sanitation. Travellers should pay careful attention to food hygiene, handwashing and the use of safe drinking water.
Other Risks
Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is present in some freshwater areas, including parts of Lake Malawi. Travellers should seek local advice before swimming or wading in freshwater and consult a doctor if they develop symptoms after possible exposure.
Mosquitoes can transmit diseases in addition to malaria, while tsetse flies occur in some wildlife areas. Insect repellent, long sleeves and other measures to prevent insect bites are advisable.
Malawi can experience flooding during the rainy season, particularly in low-lying areas, while droughts and periods of extreme heat may also occur. Travellers should follow local advice and weather warnings when visiting affected regions.