Gambia

Recommended Vaccinations For Gambia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis B in this country. Vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country. Vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. The yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

Since exposure to unsafe sources of food and water in The Gambia is variable, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Recommended Medications For Gambia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Anti-malarial medication is recommended for all travellers to The Gambia. Recommended medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Gambia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in The Gambia.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in The Gambia.

Cholera

Outbreaks of cholera occur frequently in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever occurs in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever occurs in this country.

For Some Travellers

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in the Gambia.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in the Gambia through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Rabies

Rabies is present in this country. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses.

Malaria

There is a serious risk of malaria throughout the year in this country.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Zika Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. The yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in The Gambia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Meningitis

The Gambia is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, and outbreaks of meningitis may occur during the dry season (December to June).

Safety & Security in Gambia

Personal Safety

Although The Gambia is considered to be one of the safest African countries, petty crime and theft against tourists are increasing. Theft of passports and also valuables from hotel rooms is increasing. Some tourists have had their passports stolen by individuals posing as security at the international airport, therefore, ask to see a photo ID badge. Tourists have been mugged when walking on the beach alone at night. Pickpocketing is common in markets, on ferries, and along the beaches in resort areas.

In general, while travelling, avoid carrying large amounts of cash and keep valuables out of sight. Arrange for alternative ways to access your money since credit cards are not widely accepted and there are very few ATMs. Travellers may have trouble exchanging currency other than British Pounds outside of the resort areas and the city of Banjul.

Road travel may be dangerous due to poor road conditions, poorly lit roads at night and reckless driving. Exercise extreme caution if driving in rural areas or driving during the rainy season when roads may be washed out. Avoid travelling after dark

Politely avoid conversation or help from young unemployed men, referred to as “bumsters” who hustle tourists to try to receive money from them.

Travellers are advised against accepting “free rides” from anyone in a vehicle without a yellow license plate. Public taxis are safe and inexpensive.

Travellers are advised to carry proof of prescriptions for medications as some citizens have been detained for possession of unmarked pills. There are heavy penalties for illegal drugs, and many prescription drugs may be considered illegal in The Gambia.

LGBTI travellers should note that there is no social tolerance for same-sex relations and same-sex relations are illegal. Private citizens have the power to make arrests for offences “against the order of nature” according to the Gambian Criminal Code. Increasingly, there has been homophobic rhetoric from the government.

Travellers should take note of whether they will be travelling during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During this time, respect the religious practices of the country and avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. Always dress and behave conservatively to respect local customs.

Seek advice from local authorities as to which beaches are safe.

Tourism infrastructure is limited outside of Banjul.

Taking photographs of airports, embassies and government and military installations is illegal.

Political Unrest

Political protests in The Gambia, have become more frequent in recent years. Such events tend to draw large groups of people and even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid land travel through the Casamance area along the border with southern Senegal. Travellers have been attacked on roads leading north from Ziguinchor to Banjul. There have been reports of armed banditry, and the personal security situation is unpredictable.