Sub Saharan Africa

As a general rule, GP facilities in Khartoum are adequate but the hospitals are not suitable for elective problems and only suitable for stabilisation of serious medical problems prior to evacuation.

In Southern Sudan, health facilities are extremely limited – especially outside of Juba.  Most serious medical problems would require a “medevac” to Nairobi or Kampala – visitors should be aware that during the rainy season flights are often forced to remain on the ground for hours.  Therefore those with medical problems should carefully consider these limitations before travelling to the south.

Water and food-borne diseases are common to Sudan.  These include salmonella, typhoid, shigella, giardia, hepatitis A and amoebiasis. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Sudan you should seek immediate medical attention.

Since mid-2005 the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported cases of meningitis in the northern states of Sudan, including Khartoum.

In October 2007 an outbreak of Rift Valley fever was reported: this disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. As of January 2008, the number of cases was declining.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated the prevalence rate of HIV was at around 1.4% of the adult population. 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 Sudan 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 information see Travel Health.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Sudan is free of H5N1 Avian Influenza.

 

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

H1N1 (Swine Flu)

There have been two confirmed cases of swine flu in Sudan.  In both cases the virus had been caught outside of the country.  There have been no other reported cases.  Procedures in place include screening at the main ports of entry.  In Khartoum, those arriving on international flights are checked for symptoms and where passengers display signs of the virus they are taken to a designated hospital to be tested and, if necessary, emitted into quarantine and given treatment until they have recovered.  If you have a high temperature and/or flu like symptoms, you should seek medical advice prior to travel to prevent hospitalisation on arrival in Sudan.

Further guidance on precautions you can take to protect yourself can be found on the Health Protection Agency website and on the FCO website.