All travelers should be aware of the risks to their health while travelling. It is important to check your destination before you go so that you are aware of the risks and can prepare for them.
Costs/infrastructure of medical care
Medical care in Nigeria that meets western standards is very expensive. The other medical centers are best avoided. In case of serious medical problems, it is recommended to return to your home country. Many counterfeit drugs are sold. So only buy your medicines from recognized pharmacists and don’t forget to take a reliable travel pharmacy with you!
Safety water and food
The usual precautions for tropical countries should be respected. It is recommended that you consume bottled water and clean fruits and vegetables with filtered water.
Diseases
Malaria: There is a significant malaria risk throughout Nigeria. We recommend mosquito repellent measures from dusk to morning in combination with the intake of malaria tablets. If you have a fever during or after the trip, always have yourself tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Yellow fever: There is a risk of yellow fever in Nigeria. Vaccination is mandatory.
Other insect-borne diseases: Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness. Protect yourself from insects
Tick-borne diseases: Ticks can transmit diseases such as African tick fever.
Rabies: Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies (rabies).
Schistosomiasis: There is a risk of infection with schistosomiasis when swimming or bathing in lakes and rivers.
Other possible infections: Tuberculosis
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travelers. Vaccination is mandatory from the age of nine months:
– If you are traveling from another country where yellow fever can occur.
– If you have been in transit for more than 12 hours at an airport in a country where yellow fever occurs.
The vaccination must be administered at least ten days before arrival at a yellow fever vaccination center and registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers.
Update basic vaccinations
Recommended: Tetanus Diphtheria Whooping Cough, Polio, Measles, mumps, German measles, Polio, Covid-19.
A single additional polio vaccination from the age of 16 is recommended for travel to Africa or Asia.
Talk to your doctor about whether any of the following vaccinations are recommended for you: Typhoid, Meningococcal ACWY, rabies, hepatitis B, Flu, pneumococci
Special health risks
Malaria
Malaria is endemic in Nigeria. It is recommended to sleep under a mosquito net, to use a mosquito repellent product with DEET and to take a prophylactic agent (for short stays). Depending on your general state of health, your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Polio
All travelers (of all ages) who will be staying in Nigeria for more than 4 weeks must be vaccinated against polio at least 4 weeks and no more than 12 months before leaving the country. Evidence of vaccine administration must be documented in the International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, also known as the ‘yellow booklet’ (on pages 4 and 5, where the vaccination certificate for mandatory vaccines is affixed).
Dengue fever
Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes that attack during the day and especially at night. Dengue occurs mainly in the rainy season. Symptoms include: high fever, muscle aches, joint pain, and possibly a skin rash. There is no vaccine for it. Because dengue is dangerous (and in some cases even fatal), it is important to see a doctor immediately if the above symptoms occur and to protect yourself against mosquitoes at all times (using a mosquito repellent product containing DEET, sleeping under a mosquito net, wearing long clothes). Dengue occurs in both urban and rural areas.
Lassa fever
Every year a new outbreak of lassa fever is diagnosed, each time claiming dozens of victims. In 2019, a total of 174 people succumbed to the disease, the largest outbreak to date. In January 2020, 258 infections with 41 fatalities were already counted in one month. Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi account for 89% of the 19 affected states. The Lassa virus spreads after contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or rat feces. The virus is contagious. The first symptoms are: fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, vomiting,… It is recommended to strictly follow the hygiene rules. Direct contact with people who are infected is not recommended. It is also recommended to avoid any contact with rats.
Traveler’s diarrhea
Measures to prevent travelers’ diarrhea (such as washing hands and disinfecting drinking water) are essential. Prevention of dehydration (dehydration) is paramount. To prevent dehydration, special saline solutions can be used. It is best to avoid products sold in local Nigerian pharmacies, which are usually ineffective or even dangerous.
Yellow fever
Vaccines are mandatory if you come from another risk country. If not, it is still recommended. An epidemic raged in Cross River state in the south-east of the country.
Bird flu
With regard to bird flu, neither the World Health Organization nor the FPS Public Health impose any travel restrictions to any destination (yet), but they still recommend a number of precautions to reduce the contact risks with the bird flu virus: avoiding poultry, eating well fried or cooked meat from poultry or poultry products, washing hands regularly.
Detailed information can be found in the “Everything about influenza” section on the websites of the Federal Public Service Public Health, the World Health Organisation, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, FASFC, or the World Organization of Animal Health, O.I.E.
Zika
The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito that bites mainly during the day. In most cases, the virus shows no symptoms, but the following symptoms may occur: fever, headache, rash, muscle and joint aches, fatigue and red eyes. Travelers are generally advised to protect themselves against mosquito bites by using a mosquito repellent product.
