Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Health

Medical facilities are poor, even in Niamey.   Serious medical treatment would require evacuation to Europe. Your health insurance should therefore cover medical evacuation by air ambulance.

Malaria, cholera and other water-borne diseases are common to Niger. Epidemics of this kind are particularly common in the rainy season from July to October. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  Food purchased from local street vendors may not meet adequate hygiene standards.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Niger you should seek immediate medical attention.

Meningitis outbreaks frequently occur, particularly in the dry season from February to July.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 56,000 adults aged 15 or over in Niger were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.8% 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 Niger 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) 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.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed several cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in domestic ducks near the border with Nigeria. 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 Flu, which gives more detailed advice and information.