Sub Saharan Africa

Medical facilities are poor in Togo.  Emergency facilities are extremely limited.  For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation would be necessary.

Malaria and water-borne diseases are common to Togo.  Since December 2008 an outbreak of Cholera in Lome has affected over 400 people, with three reported deaths. 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 Togo you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 120,000 adults aged 15 or over in Togo were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 3.3% 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 Togo 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.

 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

 

The World Animal Health Organization (OIE) has confirmed there was an outbreak of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in poultry at a farm at Sigbehoue, about 45 km (28 miles) east of the capital Lome in June 2007 and Tonoukouti in July 2007.  An outbreak confirmed at a farm in Agbata, outside Lome on 16 September 2008, has now been resolved, the OIE report.   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.