Travelling? Check what you need
Vaccines and precautions for your destination.
Gambia
Required
1
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is present. A valid international vaccination certificate is required for entry (vaccination at least 10 days before travel).
Disease guide
- Definition
- A viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito.
- Symptoms
- Sudden rise in temperature, muscle pain, severe back pain, headache and vomiting; in severe cases jaundice appears about two weeks after onset.
- Incubation period
- 6 days.
- Prevention
- Vaccination at least 10 days before travel (certificate valid for life, 10 days after vaccination). Avoid the outdoors after sunset, use repellents and insecticides, sleep under nets and behind screened windows, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
- Precautions
- Vaccination at least 10 days before travel (certificate valid for life, 10 days after vaccination). Avoid the outdoors after sunset, use repellents and insecticides, sleep under nets and behind screened windows, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
Recommended
3
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is endemic. Vaccination is recommended before travel (required with a certificate for Hajj/Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia).
Disease guide
- Definition
- Inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain, caused by various microbes; a leading cause of illness and death worldwide.
- Symptoms
- Fever with one or more of: neck stiffness, impaired consciousness, bleeding under the skin, and other meningeal signs.
- Incubation period
- 2 to 10 days, most often 3 to 4 days.
- Prevention
- Travellers to the African meningitis belt and pilgrims to Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease at least 10 days before travel and present a vaccination certificate (for travel to Saudi Arabia).
- Precautions
- Travellers to the African meningitis belt and pilgrims to Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease at least 10 days before travel and present a vaccination certificate (for travel to Saudi Arabia).
Malaria
Malaria is present in this country. Follow the personal-protection precautions below.
Disease guide
- Definition
- A parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
- Symptoms
- Unexplained fever and/or other clinical signs such as headache, back pain, chills, sweating, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, often with an enlarged spleen and anaemia.
- Incubation period
- From several days to one month.
- Prevention
- Travellers to affected countries should obtain chemoprophylaxis. Avoid the outdoors after sunset, use repellents and insecticides, sleep under nets, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
- Precautions
- Travellers to affected countries should obtain chemoprophylaxis. Avoid the outdoors after sunset, use repellents and insecticides, sleep under nets, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is present in this country. Follow the personal-protection precautions below.
Disease guide
- Definition
- A disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
- Symptoms
- Fever and excruciating joint pain, as well as muscle pain, headache, vomiting, fatigue and a skin rash.
- Incubation period
- 12 days.
- Prevention
- No vaccination; observe personal protection against mosquito bites. Use repellents, sleep under nets, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
- Precautions
- No vaccination; observe personal protection against mosquito bites. Use repellents, sleep under nets, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
Routine
1
Zika virus
Zika vectors (mosquitoes) are present, but there is no known local transmission. Observe mosquito-bite precautions; pregnant women should consult a physician.
Disease guide
- Definition
- A viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
- Symptoms
- Raised temperature, skin rash, conjunctival redness, muscle and joint pain, headache and general weakness.
- Incubation period
- 14 days.
- Prevention
- Pregnant women should postpone travel to protect the foetus; if travel is essential, follow personal protection against mosquito bites. Use repellents, sleep under nets, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
- Precautions
- Pregnant women should postpone travel to protect the foetus; if travel is essential, follow personal protection against mosquito bites. Use repellents, sleep under nets, and wear long sleeves and trousers.