Ethiopia

Recommended Vaccinations For Ethiopia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

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

Hepatitis B Vaccine

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

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more are recommended to take a polio vaccination at least 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Unvaccinated travellers may have to take the vaccine upon arrival at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

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.

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 over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged 9 months or over, except for travellers whose itineraries are limited to the Afar and Somali provinces.

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.

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.

Recommended Medications For Ethiopia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Anti-malarial medication is recommended for all travellers going to any area of Ethiopia, except for the city of Addis Ababa. Recommended medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Ethiopia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

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

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Ethiopia through contaminated food or water.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks may occur in Ethiopia. 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.

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of chikungunya fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Malaria

All areas of Ethiopia below 2,000 metres are at moderate risk for malaria, except Addis Ababa where there is no risk.

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)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1, type 2 and wild poliovirus type 1 were detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Zika Fever

There is a risk of Zika virus in Ethiopia. The mosquitoes that transmit the Zika virus are unlikely to be found above 2,000 meters altitude.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Ethiopia. Travellers to Ethiopia 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.

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.

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Ethiopia. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Typhoid Fever

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

Sleeping Sickness (Type 2)

African Trypanosomiasis ("sleeping sickness") may occur in Ethiopia. Recently, the absence of any reports of this disease suggest that the risk to travellers is very low. Urban areas are not at risk.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Yellow Fever

There is a low risk of yellow fever transmission in some areas of the country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged 9 months or over, except for travellers whose itineraries are limited to the Afar and Somali provinces.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. 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.

Safety & Security in Ethiopia

Personal Safety

Mugging and violent theft are increasing across Ethiopia. Knifepoint robberies and attacks where victims are choked unconscious have been reported in Addis Ababa, particularly around busy areas like Meskel Square, Mercato market, and hotels including the Hyatt Regency, Hilton, and Sheraton. Pickpocketing is common in the capital, and foreigners are often targeted. Bag and jewelry snatching from vehicles at traffic lights is a regular occurrence. Violent assault is more frequent after dark. Arbitrary detention of foreign nationals occurs, particularly around major events or in security-sensitive locations. Ethiopian authorities do not always notify embassies when they detain foreign nationals. You face risks of ethnic profiling. Confrontations between organized criminal groups, ethnic militias, and government security forces create dangerous situations. The security environment across much of the country remains volatile, with violence erupting suddenly and without warning. Kidnapping is widespread in Oromia, Amhara, and Somali regions, as well as near the Kenyan border. Roadside attacks, armed robbery, and carjackings occur. Humanitarian workers and foreigners are potential targets for kidnapping. Organized criminal gangs operate on major roads and have kidnapped bus passengers, including students. Your ability to rely on police assistance is limited, particularly outside Addis Ababa. Emergency response times are slow, and police may lack English fluency. In rural areas, help may not be available at all.

Extreme Violence

Al-Shabaab maintains a threat across the country, particularly along the Somali border. The group attacked Ethiopian border towns in 2022 and has stated intentions to commit further attacks. Terrorists are very likely to attempt attacks in Ethiopia. Potential targets include hotels, markets, places of worship, government buildings, transport hubs, and aircraft. Attacks could occur at any time, including during religious events, public holidays, or celebrations. Armed conflict between government forces and regional militias kills civilians regularly. Fighting between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and Amhara Fano militias since mid-2023 has resulted in civilian massacres, including execution-style killings. The Merawi massacre in January 2024 saw dozens of civilians murdered by government forces. In Gedeb town in April 2025, a drone strike reportedly killed 100 people. Between September and December 2024, at least 115 civilians died in Amhara. Ethnic violence is widespread. The Oromo Liberation Army has targeted ethnic Amharas in Oromia, while Amhara militias attack Oromos. Clashes between ethnic groups occur frequently along regional borders. Thousands of civilians have died in ethnically motivated attacks. Massacres in Oromia in 2022 killed hundreds of Amhara. Reports document war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing by various armed groups and government forces. The Tigray war from 2020 to 2022 killed an estimated 162,000 to 600,000 people. Rape and sexual violence have been used systematically as tactics of war. Landmines pose risks in border areas, particularly near Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan.

Political Unrest

Armed conflict between Fano militia groups and government forces has affected Amhara region since spring 2023. Clashes occur in both urban centers and rural areas, with violence escalating quickly. Gondar, Bahir Dar, and Lalibela have become contested sites with active shooting and artillery fire. A state of emergency was declared in August 2023. Violent clashes between the Oromo Liberation Army and Ethiopian National Defense Forces continue in Oromia, particularly in areas bordering Amhara. Fighting occurs in West Wollega, East Wollega, Horo Guduru Wollega, North Shewa, and other zones. Despite a December 2024 peace agreement with one OLA faction, government forces continue operations. Protests can turn violent. Security forces have used live ammunition against demonstrators protesting water shortages, religious disputes, and government policies. In February 2023, security forces killed at least three protesters in Wolkite. In Addis Ababa in June 2023, forces killed at least three during protests over mosque demolitions. Civil unrest can start without notice. Protests and strikes may lead to temporary road closures and disruptions to internet and mobile networks. The government has previously restricted social media access during periods of unrest. In Tigray, internal political conflicts worsened in March 2025. Rival factions seized control of key areas including Adigrat and Mekelle, leading to violent clashes and civilian casualties. The 2022 cessation of hostilities agreement has not been fully implemented. Sporadic armed incidents continue. Demonstrations in Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Sidama, and other regions occur periodically. Ethnic disputes along regional borders can turn violent without warning. Communication blackouts, including internet shutdowns, happen during periods of instability.

Areas To Avoid

Amhara region faces active armed conflict. All areas experience sporadic violent clashes between Fano militias and government forces, including in cities. Roadblocks and curfews are common. Communications and electricity outages are widespread. Foreign governments advise against all travel to the entire region. Oromia region sees ongoing violence, particularly in West Wollega, East Wollega, Kellem Wollega, Horo Guduru Wollega, North Shewa, West Shewa, South West Shewa, and East Shewa zones. Demonstrations, armed clashes, and ethnically motivated violence occur. Kidnapping is a significant threat. Towns like Ambo, Nekemte, and Shashemene have been particularly affected. The main Addis Ababa to Gambela road is dangerous. Tigray region remains fragile. Areas west of the Tekeze River and within 10 kilometers of the Amhara and Eritrea borders are extremely dangerous. Internal political conflicts and contested leadership have led to violence. Around 40 percent of Tigray remains occupied by Eritrean Defense Forces and Amhara forces. Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz regions face crime, kidnapping, ethnically motivated violence, and sporadic armed conflict. Border areas with Sudan and South Sudan are particularly dangerous. Border areas with Somalia experience terrorism threats, kidnapping, and the presence of landmines. Al-Shabaab maintains bases in Somalia near the Ethiopian border. Areas within 100 kilometers of the Somalia border carry significant risk. Border areas with Kenya face inter-ethnic conflicts and armed attacks. Border areas with Eritrea are heavily militarized and armed conflict could erupt without notice. The Danakil Depression in Afar was targeted for attacks in 2007, 2012, and 2017. Afar also experiences ethnic conflicts, particularly along the border with Somali region.