Kenya Health Information

Vaccinations

	Special Precautions?	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	Yes
Cholera	Yes	Yes
Typhoid and Polio	No
Malaria	Yes

Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. For most updated information please check www.cdc.gov

1 A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all nationals entering the country.

2 Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Ghana. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. During the rainy seasons (May to Jul and Sep to Oct) there are seasonal outbreaks of Cholera. Current outbreaks are occurring in parts of Accra and Kumasi. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

3 Immunization against typhoid is usually advised. An outbreak of Poliomyelitis occured in 2003.

4 Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country.

Food & Drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated and relatively safe. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided at all times.

Other Risks
Dysenteries and diarrhoeal diseases are common. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic; hepatitis A and E are widespread. Meningococcal meningitis is a risk, particularly in the savannah in the dry season; long-staying visitors and backpackers should consider vaccination. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water, bathing in rivers and lakes is forbidden in national parks and is best avoided elsewhere due to dangers from wildlife and water borne diseases; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Dengue fever is present, as are leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and filariasis. Avoid sandfly, mosquito and tsetse fly bites, and wear shoes to protect against hookworm. Relapsing fever and typhus are present. In June 2004, there were 141 suspected cases, including six deaths, of leptospirosis in a high school in the Bungoma district. A nearby primary school also reported two deaths. Travellers should be aware of these developments when within the Bungoma district.