Liberia

Recommended Vaccinations For Liberia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the 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.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

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.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of his country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers one year of age and older. The vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Recommended Medications For Liberia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Liberia

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of chikungunya fever may occur.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Liberia. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Liberia through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Liberia.

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.

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.

Leishmaniasis

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

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

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

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Symptoms include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If not treated, the disease can cause death.

Hanta Virus

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

Monkeypox

There is a risk of monkeypox in the country. The disease is caused by being scratched or bitten by an infected animal (a rodent or primate), or touching animal products, including skins and meat and being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.

Measles

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

Lassa Fever

Sporadic cases of Lassa fever have been reported in this country.

Malaria

All areas of Liberia are at high risk for malaria.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of his country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers one year of age and older.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Liberia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Liberia. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) 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.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Liberia 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 Liberia. Travellers to Liberia 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.

Ebola Viral Disease

A major outbreak occurred from 2014 to 2015. Sporadic cases leading to outbreaks may occur in rural areas. The risk of exposure for travellers is low.

Safety & Security in Liberia

Personal Safety

Many basic services are not available in Liberia. Police services may be limited. Maintain awareness of your surroundings and personal security, and keep valuables out of sight. Thefts have occurred in taxis. Crime rates are high in the capital city of Monrovia. Burglaries are also reported, including theft from the accommodations of international workers.

Exercise caution when walking alone and keep to areas where there are foreigners. Do not walk alone at night.

Violent crime, including armed robbery and rape, does occur in Liberia, including the capital, Monrovia.

Facilities for travellers are limited in the capital, Monrovia. Tourist infrastructure outside Monrovia is almost nonexistent.

Avoid road travel outside of the capital at night. Roads can be in poor condition and drivers may not adhere to safe driving rules. Vehicles on the road may be poorly maintained and overloaded. Note that fuel shortages are common, prepare accordingly. Avoid using public transportation.

Do not take photos of government or military installations, airports, seaports or bridges.

Between May-November, Liberia experiences heavy rains. As a result, roads may become impassable due to flooding. Sand/dust storms, common between December-March, may also present a heath and safety risk to the traveller.

Same-sex relations and behaviours are prohibited. LGBTI travellers should reconsider their need to travel to Liberia. All travellers should avoid open displays of affection due to the conservative nature of the country. Dress modestly in respect for the country’s customs.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist attacks are indiscriminate. Terrorist groups may target beach resorts, hotels, cafés and restaurants visited by foreigners. Other high risk areas include, government buildings, schools, places of worship, airports, transportation hubs and networks as well as public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners.

Political Unrest

Always avoid any large public gatherings or demonstrations as the situation can turn violent.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid areas bordering Côte d’Ivoire as the area has seen many violent clashes on both sides. Avoid travel to River Gee and Grand Gedeh counties.

Use high level of caution when visiting Greater Monrovia due to a high level of crime, including armed robbery.