cdc travel guidelines cameroon

Update May 10, 2024

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Cameroon Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 31, 2023, cameroon - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Cameroon due to crime . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to:

• North, Far North, Northwest and Southwest Regions, and Parts of East and Adamawa Regions due to crime and kidnapping.
• Far North Region due to terrorism.
• Northwest and Southwest Regions due to armed violence, crime, and kidnapping .

Country Summary:  Violent crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking, is common throughout Cameroon.  Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in North, Far North, Northwest, Southwest, and Parts of Adamawa and East Regions of Cameroon due to current official travel restrictions.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Cameroon.

If you decide to travel to Cameroon:

• Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches, handbags, or jewelry.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, help the Embassy contact you in an emergency, and help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Cameroon.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

North, Far North, Northwest and Southwest Regions, and parts of East and Adamawa Regions – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violent crime, including kidnapping by terrorists and/or kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, assault, and carjacking are serious concerns in Cameroon, especially in all these regions.

In the Adamawa Region north of the capital, Ngaoundere, and East Regions, there is a heightened criminal threat within 20 kilometers of the border with the Central African Republic.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Far North Region– Level 4: Do Not Travel

In the Far North Region, terrorists may attack with no warning, targeting local facilities and places frequented by Westerners.

Northwest and Southwest Regions – Level 4: Do Not Travel

In Northwest and Southwest Regions, armed clashes between separatists and government forces, and other acts of violence, including violent criminality, kidnapping for ransom, sexual assault, arson, roadside ambushes and robberies, use of improvised explosive devices, illegitimate detentions, and murder have occurred. Security force operations, imposed curfews and movement restrictions, and attacks by armed militants regularly take place throughout these regions, including in major cities. Ongoing violence has led to a breakdown in order and a significant decline in public services, including medical resources in large areas of both regions.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, cameroon map, search for travel advisories, external link.

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Cameroon Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Cameroon

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required on public transportation.

Ready to travel?

Find flights to cameroon, find stays in cameroon, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

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Can I travel to Cameroon from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cameroon.

Can I travel to Cameroon if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Cameroon without restrictions.

Can I travel to Cameroon without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Cameroon without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Cameroon?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Cameroon.

Can I travel to Cameroon without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Cameroon?

Mask usage in Cameroon is not required on public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Cameroon?

Restaurants in Cameroon are open. Bars in Cameroon are .

CDC, State Department downgrade travel alerts for dozens of countries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised travel health notices for dozens of countries to a lower risk tier on Monday, adjusting travel guidance for vaccinated Americans in the process.

A total of 62 destinations – including Japan, Canada, Mexico, Italy, France and Germany – dropped from “COVID-19 very high” Level 4 tier to “COVID-19 high” Level 3 tier on the CDC's travel recommendations list , which  rates the risks by country . 

While the CDC had advised all travelers to avoid these destinations while they were considered "COVID-19 very high," it now cautions travelers to make sure they are fully vaccinated before traveling to these regions. Unvaccinated travelers should still avoid nonessential travel to the Level 3 destinations, the agency said. 

The changes come as vaccination rates across the U.S. continue to climb. As of Monday, 51.6% of the total U.S. population  had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 42.1% were fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.  

What are the new CDC travel guidelines? 

The CDC's travel guidance now gives specific advice to vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

The recent updates follow the CDC's decision to update the criteria it uses to determine travel health notice levels “to better differentiate countries with severe outbreak situations from countries with sustained, but controlled, COVID-19 spread," according to its website.

'Do not travel' list: The US State Department is raises the alert level for countries due to COVID-19

The update ensures that travel health notice levels “reflect the current global situation and are aligned with guidance for international travel ," which says people should not travel unless fully vaccinated, the CDC said in a Tuesday statement. 

About a quarter of the 246 destinations listed in the CDC's travel recommendations page   are at Level 4, where the CDC says those who "must travel" to these destinations should make sure they are fully vaccinated. North Korea, Haiti, Nicaragua and Uzbekistan were added to this tier Monday. 

According to the CDC’s website, about 64 destinations are now at Level 3.

Twenty-one are listed at Level 2, which is considered “COVID-19 moderate.” The CDC asks that travelers are fully vaccinated before traveling to these destinations, and says unvaccinated travelers who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid nonessential travel to these destinations. Seventeen destinations were moved to this tier on Monday, including El Salvador, Finland and Kenya. 

Japan's place on travel advisory lists:  What we know about Tokyo Olympics

Another 56 are rated a Level 1, in which the CDC suggests that Americans make sure they are fully vaccinated before traveling to these destinations. Thirty-four countries were added to the tier on Monday, including Israel, Fiji and South Korea.  

Another 13 destinations – including Ireland and the U.S. Virgin Islands – were handed a "level unknown" label on Monday. The CDC suggests avoiding travel to these destinations. 

The State Department, which factors in the CDC's guidance when determining its own travel advisories, updated its advice to U.S. travelers this week, as well. 

But those alerts also consider other factors, including COVID-19-related travel restrictions, crime, and terrorism, so State Department alert levels may not always match the CDC’s travel health notice levels.  

A Tuesday release from the State Department said it would “continue to monitor health and safety conditions around the world, working with the CDC and other agencies, as conditions evolve.”    

France welcomes back travelers: France set to welcome back vaccinated Americans with negative PCR test beginning June 9

'Absolutely critical to both countries': US, UK airlines urge lifting of travel restrictions

Can Americans travel to Spain?: Yes, if you've gotten the COVID-19 vaccine

Which countries were downgraded from Level 4 'very high' to Level 3 'high' COVID risk on the CDC scale? 

Here's a list of the destinations that have recently moved to  Level 3 , according to the CDC.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Philippines
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Martin
• Timor-Leste
• North Macedonia
• Puerto Rico
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

What other countries moved tiers?

Here's a list of the destinations that have recently moved to   different tiers, according to the CDC.

• North Korea: Changing from Level Unknown to Level 4
• Haiti: Changing from Level 3 to Level 4
• Nicaragua: Changing from Level Unknown to Level 4
• Uzbekistan: Changing from Level Unknown to Level 4
• Angola: Changing from Level 3 to Level 2
• Cambodia: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Barbados: Changing from Level 3 to Level 2
• Bermuda: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Cameroon: Changing from Level 3 to Level 2
• Curacao: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Djibouti: Changing from Level 4 to Level 3
• El Salvador: Changing from Level 3 to Level 2
• Equatorial Guinea: Changing from Level 3 To Level 2
• Faroe Islands: Changing from Level 1 to Level 2
• Finland: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Gabon: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Guam: Changing from Level 3 to Level 2
• Kenya: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Liechtenstein: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Moldova: Changing from Level 4 to Level 2
• Uganda: Changing from Level 1 to Level 2
• Albania: Changing from Level 4 to Level 1
• Anguilla: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Antigua and Barbuda: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Belize: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Benin: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Fiji: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Falkland Islands: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Burkina Faso: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Burundi: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Chad: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Laos: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Cote d'Ivoire: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Dominica: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Eswatini: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• South Korea: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Gambia: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Ghana: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Iceland: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Singapore: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Isle of Man: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Israel: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Malawi: Changing from from Level 3 to Level 1
• Malta: Changing from Level 4 to Level 1
• Morocco: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Mozambique: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Niger: Changing from Level 4 to Level 1
• Rwanda: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Saint Barthelemy: Changing from Level 4 to Level 1
• Senegal: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Togo: Changing from Level 3 to Level 1
• Zambia: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Zimbabwe: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• French Polynesia: Changing from Level 2 to Level 1
• Turks and Caicos: Changing from Level 4 to Level 1
• Afghanistan: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• Aruba: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• British Virgin Islands: Changing from Level 1 to Level Unknown
• Guernsey: Changing from Level 1 to Level Unknown
• Samoa: Changing from Level 1 to Level Unknown
• Ireland: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• Martinique: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• Mayotte: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• Monaco: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• Saba: Changing from Level 1 to Level Unknown
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• San Marino: Changing from Level 4 to Level Unknown
• Sudan: Changing from Level 3 to Level Unknown

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CDC Updates COVID Travel Guidance for 120 Countries Ahead of Summer

Images By Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its COVID travel guidance for more than a hundred countries.
• The CDC classifies travel to each country by level of COVID-19 risk.
• Infectious disease experts say it's relatively safe to travel internationally now, provided you're vaccinated and avoid high-risk countries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new COVID-19 travel guidelines for more than 120 countries.

The updated advice offers detailed information on specific countries for travelers who are vaccinated and for those who aren't. The CDC specifically assigns risk levels to each country based on the number of cases per 100,000 people.

To use the new guidance , travelers can search by the name of the country they’re interested in visiting and then learn whether its COVID-19 risk is very high, high, moderate, low, or unknown.

The CDC also offers detailed advice on what to do to stay safe in that particular country, broken down by whether you’re vaccinated or unvaccinated.

The new guidance arrives as COVID-19 cases dip to low levels previously seen at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.  As vaccination increases and cases drop, travel among Americans is picking up speed.

Just days after the CDC's updated guidance, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it screened more than 2 million passengers on the same day for the first time since March 2020.

What the Risk Levels Mean

The CDC divides up countries based on four levels of risk.

Level 4: Very High Risk

Countries that are classified as very high-risk have more than 500 new cases per 100,000 people over the past 28 days. The CDC recommends against traveling to these countries, which currently include Brazil, India, and Iraq.

Level 3: High Risk

These countries have 100 to 500 cases per 100,000 residents. The CDC specifically recommends avoiding nonessential travel to these countries—including Mexico, Russia, and Iran—for people who are unvaccinated.

Level 2: Moderate Risk

Level 2 countries have 50 to 99 cases per 100,000, and currently include Finland, Cambodia, and Kenya. The CDC suggests that people who are unvaccinated and at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 avoid these countries.

Level 1: Low Risk

Level 1 countries are nations with less than 50 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, and include Australia, Israel, and Singapore. The agency still recommends that you get vaccinated before you travel to one of them.

What This Means For You

The CDC breaks down which countries are considered high and low risk for travel right now. If you decide to travel internationally, first check the risk level of the country you’re interested in visiting, and don’t forget to wear a mask on your journey.

Is International Travel Safe Right Now?

Infectious disease experts say your safety depends on your vaccination status. “For a fully vaccinated individual, international travel is low-risk,” infectious disease expert  Amesh A. Adalja, MD , senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Verywell.

“If you’re fully vaccinated, I think international travel is OK,” Thomas Russo, MD , professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, tells Verywell. “But one should be a little more cognizant of countries that have variants of concern, like India.”

While Russo says that “the consequences for fully vaccinated individuals might not be as bad” as they would be for those who aren't vaccinated, there is still a chance that they can bring the variants back home after traveling. “We’re trying to minimize importing those strains,” he says.

But there are “issues related to air travel in general,” Stanley Weiss, MD , professor of medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, tells Verywell. “There is the issue of yourself and those near you, in screening areas, waiting areas, and on the plane."

Weiss points out that you can be exposed to COVID for long periods of time on international flights. And there's “a considerable period of time” where everyone may not always be masked.

Ultimately, “the decision to take an international trip currently is really a risk/benefit consideration that is dependent upon one's own risk tolerance,” Prathit Kulkarni, MD , assistant professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Verywell.

He recommends being mindful of the risk level of the country you’re interested in visiting. “If it is possible to defer a trip to a country with very high transmission currently until transmission slows down a bit, that is likely preferred,” Kulkarni says.

It’s important to keep in mind that “you may not be able to get reasonable healthcare if you get sick” while visiting a higher risk area, John Sellick, DO , an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo in New York, tells Verywell.

Adalja agrees. “Traveling to a very high-risk area, even when fully vaccinated, probably is not going to be a very fun trip if a country is spiraling out of control because of COVID-19 cases and hospitals in crisis,” he says.

How to Stay Safe When You Travel

“Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances necessitating travel; In this case, prevention steps are the best way to reduce risk,” Kulkarni says. That includes wearing a mask in the airport and on the plane and practicing good hand hygiene, Sellick adds.

Be aware, too, that you may have to get tested or quarantine—even if you’re fully vaccinated—because of regulations in place in other countries, Adalja says.

Weiss recommends bringing extra masks along for the trip and keeping a spare on you at all times. “You need enough with you to enable you to change them,” he says.

Overall, public health experts stress the importance of getting vaccinated before you travel. “It’s the most important thing you can do,” Russo says.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How CDC determines the level for COVID-19 travel health notices .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 travel recommendations .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trends in number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to CDC, by state/territory .

Transportation Security Administration. TSA surpasses 2 million daily travelers screened .

By Korin Miller Miller is a health and lifestyle journalist with a master's degree in online journalism. Her work appears in The Washington Post, Prevention, SELF, Women's Health, and more.

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Addendum to Technical Instructions for Vaccinations: Polio

At a glance.

These instructions are in accordance with CDC regulations and are for the use of panel physicians evaluating persons applying for immigrant or refugee status, as well as certain non-immigrants who are required to have an overseas medical examination.

Medical screening is an essential component of the immigration process. This “Addendum to Technical Instructions for Vaccination: Polio” only applies to persons overseas applying for US immigrant visas, who are required to have an overseas medical examination. These persons are hereafter referred to as applicants. Refugees and nonimmigrant visa (NIVs) applicants, including K-visa applicants, are not required to receive vaccines as part of the overseas immigration medical examination.

The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) met in May 2014 regarding the international spread of wild polioviruses (WPV). It declared that the conditions were a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Since that time, WHO has issued regular updates to both the risk categories and the countries that fall into those risk categories. The most recent update, published in April 2024 , includes countries with WPV or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) and affirms that the risk of international spread of poliovirus remains a PHEIC. The current poliovirus situation globally, including exportations, represents a risk of the introduction of this virus into the United States, a country that has eliminated WPV. The guidelines presented in this addendum are intended to address this concern and reduce the risk of the introduction of WPV or cVDPV into the United States.

Based upon the information in the most recent WHO declaration, this Addendum to Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians for Vaccinations is to be followed for applicants being examined in the countries infected with WPV1, cVDPV1, cVDPV2 and cVDPV3, with potential risk for international spread. These Technical Instructions are effective from the date of issuance until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determines they are no longer needed to prevent the importation and spread of WPV or cVDPV. These Technical Instructions are also subject to modification if there are changes to the countries listed in the above risk categories. CDC will communicate discontinuation or modification of these instructions to the US Department of State and other relevant parties.

For inquiries about these Technical Instructions, please contact the Immigrant and Refugee Health Branch, Division of Global Migration Health, at [email protected] . These Technical Instructions and other information pertinent to them and to the medical examination for applicants for US immigration can be found online at the Panel Physician homepage .

Read more about WHO's most recent statement at the meeting of the Emergency Committee concerning the international spread of poliovirus.

Poliovirus Vaccination

The instructions in this addendum are in effect for all panel physicians who are conducting examinations in the following countries infected with WPV1, cVDPV1, cVDPV2, or cVDPV3, with a potential risk of international spread:

• WPV1: Afghanistan, Malawi, Mozambique, and Pakistan
• cVDPV1: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique
• cVDPV2: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Republic of), Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
• cVDPV3: None

To complete the visa medical examination, as well as the polio vaccination exit requirements for these countries:

• Laboratory confirmation of immunity cannot be used to meet this vaccination requirement.
• Any immigrant visa applicant not meeting this vaccination requirement should receive the dose of vaccine at the panel physician examination.
• For countries infected with WPV1, cVDPV1, or cVDPV3: bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) is acceptable for the polio addendum.
• For countries infected with cVDPV2: do not give bOPV for the polio addendum as it does not protect against cVDPV2.
• The contraindications and precautions detailed in the Technical Instructions for Vaccination are in effect for this addendum. Poliovirus vaccination is not contraindicated for pregnant applicants. Applicants who are pregnant at the immigration medical examination may receive either bOPV or IPV to meet this vaccination requirement.
• Panel physicians should follow the Technical Instructions for Vaccination for all other vaccinations as they usually would.

Panel physicians examining immigrant visa applicants not specified in this addendum should continue to follow the Technical Instructions for Vaccination , including routine age-appropriate poliovirus vaccination.

Documentation

Panel physicians should follow the Technical Instructions for Vaccination to document vaccine doses on the Department of State Vaccination Documentation Worksheet, DS-3025, or within the eMedical USA system.

In addition, panel physicians should collaborate with governments at the examination site to provide all immigrants and refugees with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis ("Yellow Card") that records their polio vaccination and serves as proof of vaccination.

Glossary of Abbreviations

Full Phrase

Bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States

Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus

Department of State

Inactivated poliovirus vaccine

Public Health Emergency of International Concern

World Health Organization

Wild poliovirus

CDC works to promote and improve the health of immigrants, refugees, and migrants globally.

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South Africa Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for South Africa.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Active cholera transmission is  widespread  in South Africa. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. The following areas do not have active cholera transmission: Cape Town, Durban, Kruger National Park, and Port Elizabeth.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Africa.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to South Africa. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to South Africa.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Africa take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for South Africa.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in South Africa. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in South Africa, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to South Africa. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African tick-bite fever.

• Avoid Bug Bites

African Tick-bite fever

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Avoid animals

Rift Valley Fever

• Touching blood, body fluids, or tissue of infected livestock
• Mosquito bite

Rift Valley fever

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in South Africa, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in South Africa. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in South Africa include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in South Africa. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call South Africa’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of South Africa. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of South Africa may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in South Africa, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in South Africa, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for South Africa .

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in South Africa.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for South Africa for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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