Health risks

The Gambia is a developing country in west Africa. Facilities for tourism in the Banjul area are good; outside the capital, however, tourist facilities are limited in availability and quality.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Although the Gambia completed a transition from military to civilian rule in 1996, due to the potential for violence, travellers should avoid political gatherings or street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. Travellers should not photograph airports or military installations. There were a few shootings at Gambian road checkpoints in January 2001. Therefore, travellers driving a vehicle in the Gambia should stop at all roadblocks or road checkpoints, and proceed only when instructed by security personnel. Drivers should not reverse direction to avoid a road checkpoint, nor make any movements that may be viewed as suspicious or provocative by security personnel. Drivers should not proceed through a road checkpoint when signaled to stop.

Travellers are advised that crossing the Gambia River via the Banjul-to-Barra ferry may involve serious safety risks and that they should avoid using the ferry if possible. This ship is often overcrowded and does not carry sufficient life preservers for all passengers. The ferry frequently operates with several of its engines out of service. Travellers who must travel to the north bank of the Gambia River are advised to inquire about the condition of the ferry or to consider using the Yelitenda-to-Bambatenda ferry, 150 kilometers upriver. Travellers who use the ferry should consider carrying their own life preservers.

CRIME: Petty street crime is a problem in The Gambia. Travellers should be careful of pickpockets in the crowded market areas and on ferries. Packages or luggage should never be left unattended, especially in taxis.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are limited and some medicines are unavailable. Travellers should bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. Further information on prescription drugs is found in the section on import/export restrictions.

More than 25 mill. people are infected by HIV in the subsaharian Africa.

Arthropodborne diseases are a great problem in this region af Africa.

We recommend:

  • Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects.
  • Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing.
  • Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
  • Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses.

Arthropod borne diseases:

  • Malaria
  • Filariasis
  • Leishamaniasis
  • Relapsing fever
  • Epidemic typhus

Water- and foodborne diseases:

  • Cholera
  • Amoebiasis
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis E
  • Typhoid fever
  • Giardiasis
  • ETEC E.coli

Other diseases:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Trachoma
  • HIV
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis)
  • Meningitis

Vaccinations recommended:

  • Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)
  • Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
  • Meningitis
  • Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region
  • Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region
  • Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
  • A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.

Stay healthy:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water;
  • Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans;
  • Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes;
  • Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it;
  • Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn;
  • Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot;
  • Do not travel at night;
  • Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful;
  • Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases;
  • Don't eat food purchased from street vendors;
  • Use mefloquine as malaria prophylaxis.(Chloroquine resistance)

Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic or infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year.

Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, malaria, *meningitis, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria exists all year throughout the country. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

  • Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country.
  • Maliaria Risk Category: A
  • Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: No
  • Sub Saharan Africa: Yes
  • West Nile Virus Risk: No
  • Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Gambia
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Gambia and prevention before arrival at Gambia.

Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Gambia