Sub Saharan Africa

Medical treatment of a reasonable standard is available in Abidjan, but it can be expensive, and emergency facilities are limited to a few major hospitals.  Medical facilities outside the major towns are often rudimentary.  Serious medical treatment would require medical evacuation to Europe.

Malaria and Yellow Fever are common to Ivory Coast, while cholera is present in rural areas.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Ivory Coast you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 420,000 adults aged 15 or over in Ivory Coast were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 3.9% 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 HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Ivory Coast 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 Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel health.

A (H1N1) Swine Flu

You should monitor media reports for any further developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.

Avian Influenza

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed several cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in two separate locations in the capital Abidjan in October 2009, affecting domestic birds and a wild sparrow hawk.  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 Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.