Travelling? Check what you need
Vaccines and precautions for your destination.
Namibia
Required
1
Poliomyelitis
Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) is present. Proof of polio vaccination, or vaccination at the port of entry, is required.
Disease guide
- Definition
- An acute, highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus.
- Symptoms
- Signs range from mild symptoms without paralysis (fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting and neck stiffness) to acute flaccid paralysis.
- Incubation period
- Ranges from 3 to 35 days, usually 7 to 14 days.
- Prevention
- Travellers to and from affected countries should receive a booster dose of polio vaccine 4 weeks to 12 months before travel and carry an international vaccination certificate as specified in Annex 6 of the IHR.
- Precautions
- Travellers to and from affected countries should receive a booster dose of polio vaccine 4 weeks to 12 months before travel and carry an international vaccination certificate as specified in Annex 6 of the IHR.
Recommended
2
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.
Cholera
Cholera is present. Oral cholera vaccination and safe food and water practices are recommended.
Disease guide
- Definition
- An acute bacterial intestinal disease that can cause death within hours if untreated.
- Symptoms
- Ranges from mild cases with diarrhoea only to a severe sudden form with profuse painless watery stools and sometimes vomiting, leading to fluid loss, rapid dehydration and kidney failure.
- Incubation period
- 5 days.
- Prevention
- Oral cholera vaccination is advised, two doses 14 days apart before travel to affected countries. Observe safe food and water practices.
- Precautions
- Oral cholera vaccination is advised, two doses 14 days apart before travel to affected countries. Observe safe food and water practices.
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.