Sub Saharan Africa

Medical facilities are poor outside urban areas in Ghana.  Emergency facilities are extremely limited.  For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation would be necessary.

 
There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Ghana (source: Ghana Ministry of Health). The Ghana Ministry of Health have informed us that all regional hospitals can take samples for Swine Flu testing, which is done at a laboratory in Accra. Tamiflu is available through regional hospitals or at various pharmacies throughout the country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.

Malaria and some water-borne diseases are common in Ghana.  

 

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 250,000 adults aged 15 or over in Ghana were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.9% 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 our HIV and AIDS page. 

 
The latter part of 2008 also saw isolated cases of polio.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Ghana 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 NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

 

For more general health information see our Travel health page.

 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

 

The World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) has confirmed that there have been five cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in different parts of the country.  The last case reported was in June 2007 in the Volta Region. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

 

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.  As a precaution, you should 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 poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with our Avian and Pandemic Influenza page, which gives more detailed advice and information.