Risk / Health Info for Tanzania

What immunisations should I get for Tanzania?

If you are travelling to Tanzania, vaccinations are recommended. There have been outbreaks of Cholera on Zanzibar. Protect yourself by getting the cholera vaccine and by taking sensible precautions with drinking water and with hand hygiene. Another water-borne disease that you can avoid by getting immunised is hepatitis A. There is also a vaccine for typhoid, which is recommended for travel in Tanzania.

Think about getting a meningococcal meningitis vaccine as this is recommended to people going to Tanzania. The bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis is spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets.

Some groups of travellers will need to consider a hepatitis B vaccine. These include children, frequent and long-stay travellers as well as those who will be working in a healthcare setting, including dentistry or in a lab that handles bodily fluids. Hep B is also contracted through recreational intravenous drug use and unprotected sex. Another infection route is invasive medical or cosmetic procedures.

Do you need a yellow fever certificate in Tanzania? The answer is yes. Your certificate is proof of immunity and an immunisation should give you lifelong immunity. So long as you keep the certificate safe, you will never need to get another one.

A rabies vaccine is also a good idea if you are going to Tanzania, particularly if you will not be able to get to medical facilities right away following an animal bite.

What are the medical facilities like in Tanzania?

Outside Dar Es Salaam there are limited medical facilities. You ensure you have good travel insurance and available funds to pay for any treatment or evacuation you may need.

The emergency number in Tanzania is 112.

What precautions can I take to protect my health in Tanzania?

Other tropical diseases, including sleeping sickness and Rift Valley fever, do occur, so take any local advice about protecting yourself from these diseases.

In Dar Es Salaam during the dry season, daytime temperatures can soar, so seek shade in the middle of the day.

It is possible to contract several mosquito-borne illnesses in Tanzania, including malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever, so it is a very good idea to avoid bites wherever possible. You should wear clothing with good limb coverage and use a reliable insect repellent. Sleep under nets wherever possible. And if a vaccine or prophylaxis is available, make use of it.

Altitude in Tanzania

Parts of Tanzania are higher than 2,400m, and travellers planning to spend time at a high altitude should take steps to protect themselves against the potentially life-threatening acute mountain sickness. Your healthcare provider can help with this.

Dengue fever in Tanzania

There have been cases of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever in Tanzania. Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever because of the severe bone, joint and muscular pains it causes, in addition to flu-like fever and headache. There is no vaccine for dengue fever. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Sleeping with mosquito nets is also recommended.

Malaria in Tanzania

Malaria prophylaxis will be required for some parts of Tanzania at certain times of year. There is no malaria vaccine, but there are anti-malaria drugs that should be taken before, during and after travelling to certain at-risk countries. Speak with your healthcare provider six weeks before your trip, as not all prophylaxis regimes are appropriate for all regions and all individuals.

Schistosomiasis in Tanzania

The schistosomiasis parasite enters humans through the skin during contact with fresh water. To prevent infection, avoid swimming or paddling in lakes and streams in Tanzania. This condition is also known as bilharzia.