Sub Saharan Africa

Liberia
Still current at: 26 November 2009 Updated: 19 November 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Political section (Avoid large gatherings during re-run of by-election on Tuesday 24 November). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer) .

Travel advice for this country

Health

Hospitals and medical facilities throughout Liberia are poorly equipped. There are no emergency services. Blood supplies are unreliable and unsafe, and medication is scarce. There is no effective public or commercial Accident and Emergency or Ambulance service anywhere in the country. You should carry basic medical supplies.

Water-borne diseases, malaria and other tropical diseases are common in Liberia; there have been outbreaks of yellow fever. There are seasonal and sporadic outbreaks of cholera, normally associated with poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean drinking water.

You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Liberia you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 32,000 adults aged 15 or over in Liberia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.7% 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 Liberia 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 travel health and Swine Flu and the UK Department of Health website. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The Government of Liberia has introduced a compulsory health entry form on arrival at the airport. Visitors from countries with a heavy or uncontrolled incidence of Swine Flu may find themselves refused entry.