Sub Saharan Africa

Medical facilities in Cameroon are poor, particularly in rural areas.  Emergency facilities are extremely limited.  For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to the UK or South Africa would be necessary.

There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Cameroon. You should be aware that the Cameroonian authorities are carrying out random spot checks at Yaoundé and Douala airports.

Malaria and cholera occur in Cameroon, as do other water-borne diseases.  

There are regular cholera outbreaks between the months of December and June with Douala city, Littoral province and the West and South West provinces the areas most usually affected.  In 2006/7 over 1,400 people were affected and 42 people died.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Cameroon you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 500,000 adults aged 15 or over in Cameroon were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 5.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cameroon and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

 

The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low provided you avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds, and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. No human infections have been reported.

See Avian and Pandemic Flu for more details.