Risk / Health Info for Tanzania

What shots should I get for Tanzania?

If you are travelling to Tanzania, vaccines are recommended. Your shots should be up to date before you go to Tanzania. Your healthcare adviser can tell you about shots that will prevent hepatitis A and typhoid, two nasty gastrointestinal illnesses caused by contaminated food and water. There have been outbreaks of cholera, another GI illness, on Zanzibar. Protect yourself by getting the cholera vaccine. You can further reduce the risk of “travellers’ diarrhea” by using only commercially bottled water for drinking and ice cubes. Don’t eat food that you have not peeled yourself or that has not been cooked or boiled.

Think about getting vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis as this is recommended to people going to Tanzania. Meningococcal meningitis is spread person-to-person like a flu or cold, so practise good cough and sneeze etiquette by washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth and nose with your arm when you cough or sneeze.

Do you need a yellow fever certificate in Tanzania? The answer is yes. Your certificate is proof of immunity and a shot should give you lifelong immunity. So long as you keep the certificate safe, you will never need to get another one.

Should I get a hepatitis B shot?

Travellers who plan to visit Tanzania often or stay an extended period should get the hepatitis B shot. Spread by contact with blood or body fluids, hep B is also a risk for people who work in healthcare or dentistry in Tanzania, or for anyone who comes in contact with unsterilized needles or engages in unprotected sex. Children are also at risk of hepatitis B through cuts and scrapes.

Is there rabies in Tanzania?

Animals in Tanzania can carry rabies. If you might be around dogs or bats, or other animals, make sure you are vaccinated. Children are often more at risk of getting injured by an animal. Runners and cyclists are also common victims of animal bites. Always get prompt medical care if you have been bitten, or scratched by an animal in Tanzania, even if you’ve had your shot, as you may need post-exposure rabies prophylaxis.

What are the medical facilities like in Tanzania?

Outside Dar Es Salaam there are limited medical facilities. You should ensure you have good travel insurance and also available funds to pay for any treatment or evacuation you may need. It is highly recommended that you purchase travel health insurance before you leave Canada because provincial or territorial health plans may not cover medical costs while outside the country. Contact your provincial or territorial health authority for more information.

The emergency number in Tanzania is 112.

What precautions can I take to protect my health in Tanzania?

Tropical diseases such as Rift Valley fever and sleeping sickness can be contracted in Tanzania: look out for local advice about protecting yourself from these debilitating illnesses.

In Dar Es Salaam during the dry season, daytime temperatures can soar, so seek shade in the middle of the day.

It is possible to contract several mosquito-borne illnesses in Tanzania, including malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever, so it is a very good idea to avoid bites wherever possible. You should wear clothing with good limb coverage and use a reliable insect repellent. Sleep under nets wherever possible. And if a vaccine or prophylaxis is available, make use of it.

Altitude in Tanzania

Parts of Tanzania are higher than 2,400m, and travellers planning to spend time at a high altitude should take steps to protect themselves against the potentially life-threatening acute mountain sickness. Your healthcare provider can help with this.

Dengue fever in Tanzania

There have been cases of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever in Tanzania. Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever because of the severe bone, joint and muscular pains it causes, in addition to flu-like fever and headache. There is no vaccine for dengue fever. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Sleeping with mosquito nets is also recommended.

Malaria in Tanzania

Malaria prophylaxis will be required for some parts of Tanzania at certain times of year. There is no malaria vaccine, but there are anti-malaria drugs that should be taken before, during and after travelling to certain at-risk countries. Speak with your healthcare provider six weeks before your trip, as not all prophylaxis regimes are appropriate for all regions and all individuals.

Schistosomiasis in Tanzania

The schistosomiasis parasite enters humans through the skin during contact with fresh water. To prevent infection, avoid swimming or paddling in lakes and streams in Tanzania. This condition is also known as bilharzia.