Health risks

Kenya is a developing east African country known for its wildlife and beautiful national parks. The capital city is Nairobi. The second largest city is Mombasa, located on the southeast coast. Tourist facilities are widely available in Nairobi, the game parks, the reserves and on the coast.

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CRIME : There is a high rate of crime in all cities, particularly Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and at coastal beach resorts. Reports of attacks against tourists by groups of two or more armed assailants have increased significantly throughout the country. Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch and run" crimes on city streets and near crowds. Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables, but rather to store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms. Walking alone or at night, especially in downtown areas, public parks, along footpaths, on beaches, and in poorly lit areas, is dangerous.

Highway banditry is common in much of northeastern province, significant portions of Eastern Province, the northern part of Coast Province, and the northern part of the Rift Valley Province - areas that are remote and sparsely populated. Incidents also occur occasionally on Kenya's main highways, particularly after dark. Due to increased bandit activity, air travel is the recommended means of transportation when visiting any of the coastal resorts north of Malindi. Travelers to Garissa and Lake Turkana should travel with the police escorts or convoys organized by the Government of Kenya.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical services are available in Nairobi.

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
Onchocerciasis
Trypanosomiasis

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:

Yellow fever when entering from a yelllow fever endemic region
Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Meningitis
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 infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year.

Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, malaria, *meningitis, polio, *rabies, *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. There is normally little risk in Nairobi and in the highlands (above 2,500 metres) of Central, Rift Valley, Eastern Nyanza and Western Provinces. 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 Kenya
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Kenya and prevention before arrival at Kenya.

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