The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveller. It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. They will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken.
Measles occurs worldwide and is common in developing countries. The pre-travel consultation is a good opportunity to check that you are immune, either by previous immunisation or natural measles infection.
Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation.
A worldwide list of clinics, run by members of the International Society of Travel Medicine is available on the ISTM website.
Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended - including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
Travel health advice relating to cholera.
Spread through consumption of contaminated water and food. More common during floods and after natural disasters, in areas with very poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. It would be unusual for travellers to contract cholera if they take basic precautions with food and water and maintain a good standard of hygiene.
Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014
Travel health advice relating to diphtheria.
Spread person to person through respiratory droplets. Risk is higher if mixing with locals in poor, overcrowded living conditions.
Last Updated: 8th Sep, 2016
Travel health advice relating to hepatitis A.
Spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor.
Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014
Travel health advice relating to hepatitis B.
Spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad.
Last Updated: 24th Sep, 2015
Travel health advice relating to meningococcal meningitis.
Spread by droplet infection through close person to person contact. Meningococcal disease is found worldwide but epidemics may occur within this country, particularly during the dry season. Risk is higher for those mixing with locals for extended periods.
Last Updated: 18th Mar, 2015
Travel health advice relating to poliomyelitis.
Spread person to person through the faecal-oral route and by consuming contaminated food and water. A total of 5 doses of polio vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended for countries where polio remains a problem.
Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016
Travel health advice relating to rabies.
Spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin. Particularly dogs and related species, but also bats. Risk is higher for those going to remote areas (who may not be able to promptly access appropriate treatment in the event of a bite), long stays, those at higher risk of contact with animals and bats, and children. Even when pre-exposure vaccine has been received, urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal or bat bite.
Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016
Travel health advice relating to tetanus.
Spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.
Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016
Travel health advice relating to typhoid.
Spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.
Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016
Travel health advice relating to yellow fever.
Spread by the bite of an infected, day-biting mosquito. The disease is mainly found in rural areas but outbreaks in urban areas do occur. Vaccination is usually recommended for those who travel into risk areas. View yellow fever risk areas here. Some travellers may require vaccination for certificate purposes.
Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.
Altitude and Travel
This country has either areas with high altitude (2400m or more) or/and areas with very high altitude (3658m or more). Travellers who may go into areas of high altitude should take care to avoid ill effects of being at altitude including Acute Mountain Sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Dengue Fever
A viral illness that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. The mosquito that spreads dengue bites during the day and is more common in urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, severe joint, bone and muscular pain - hence its other name 'breakbone fever'. There is no vaccine and prevention is through avoidance of mosquito bites.
Schistosomiasis
A parasitic infection (also known as bilharzia) that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water. The parasite enters humans through the skin and prevention is dependant on avoidance of swimming, bathing or paddling in fresh water lakes and streams.
Polio Vaccination Exit Recommendations
Travellers visiting this country for longer than 4 weeks maybe advised to have a booster dose of a polio containing vaccine if they have not had one in the past 12 months. They should carry proof of having had this vaccination. Please speak to your travel health adviser to discuss.
Polio Vaccine Requirement for India - As of 1 March 2014, resident nationals of Nigeria are required to receive one dose of oral polio vaccine regardless of age or vaccination status, at least four weeks prior to departure to India. A certificate of vaccination is required when applying for an entry visa to India. This is a requirement of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
Poliomyelitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 14th Oct, 2016
Poliomyelitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 7th Sep, 2016
Poliomyelitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 12th Aug, 2016
Measles in Nigeria - published 8th Mar, 2016
Lassa Fever in Nigeria (Update) - published 25th Jan, 2016
Meningococcal Meningitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 22nd Apr, 2015
Meningococcal Meningitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 16th Mar, 2015
Cholera in Nigeria - published 15th Jan, 2015
Cholera in Nigeria - published 4th Nov, 2014
WHO Declares Senegal and Nigeria Free of Ebola Virus Transmission - published 20th Oct, 2014
Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria (Update) - published 5th Aug, 2014
Measles in Nigeria - published 20th May, 2014
Cholera in Nigeria - published 1st Nov, 2013
Poliomyelitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 17th May, 2013
Measles in Nigeria (Update) - published 14th Mar, 2013
Measles in Nigeria (Update) - published 5th Mar, 2013
Measles in Nigeria - published 11th Feb, 2013
Poliomyelitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 5th Dec, 2012
Poliomyelitis in Nigeria - published 24th Aug, 2012
Measles in Nigeria - published 24th Jul, 2012
Poliomyelitis in Nigeria (Update) - published 18th May, 2012
Malaria in Nigeria - published 3rd May, 2012