Cameroon

Recommended Vaccinations For Cameroon

For Most Travellers

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.

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

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

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children

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 Cameroon. This country requires all persons 9 months of age or older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination. It is recommended that all travellers 9 months of age and older have the yellow fever vaccination.

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 April).

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, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For Cameroon

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Anti-malarial medication is recommended for all travellers to Cameroon. Recommended medication includes atovaquone- proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Cameroon

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur in Cameroon, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Cholera

Cholera does occur in Cameroon.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis A

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

Hepatitis B

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

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.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Cameroon.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Cameroon 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 can be 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.

Leishmaniasis

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

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

Measles

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

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in Cameroon. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

African Tick Bite Fever

Sporadic cases and outbreaks of this disease may occur in this country.

Zika Fever

Zika fever can occur in Cameroon.

Meningitis

Epidemics of meningitis may occur in Cameroon during the dry season (December-April). Travellers with prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Cameroon are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting ill friends or family or working in the health care field.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is found in Cameroon. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Cameroon. This country requires all persons 9 months of age or older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination. It is recommended that all travellers 9 months of age and older have the yellow fever vaccination.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Cameroon, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives.

Malaria

All areas of Cameroon are at high risk for malaria.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Cameroon. 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 Cameroon

Personal Safety

There is a high level of crime in this country, and travellers are advised to be extremely cautious. Armed theft and attacks are common, especially in cities and tourist areas and on rural highways. Do not resist thieves as they can quickly become violent. Avoid showing signs of affluence, such as expensive jewelry or clothing. Avoid shopping on the street. Carry certified copies of identification and travel documents at all times, with originals kept in a safe place. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing, occurs frequently in trains, buses, and taxis. Use hotel shuttle services wherever possible. Criminals usually target roads close to the borders with Nigeria, the CAR and Chad.

Exercise caution when driving in Cameroon. Roads may not be well maintained, especially during the rainy season, and may not be well marked or lit. Reckless driving and livestock on roadways also present safety concerns. Keep doors locked and do not stop if flagged down by pedestrians. Avoid travelling outside city limits after dark. Always travel in convoys of at least two vehicles and inform the local authorities of your presence. Overland travel in the isolated areas of the northern and eastern provinces of Cameroon is dangerous.

The burqa is banned in the Far North region.

Same-sex relations are illegal in Cameroon and LBGTI people face severe discrimination.

Extreme Violence

The Boko Haram Islamist militant group have threatened Cameroon with attacks due to Cameroon’s decision to join a multinational force to fight the Boko Haram. Travelers are especially advised to avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns; such as in Yaoundé, Briqueterie and Mokolo market, and in Douala, Nkololun, New Bell, Akwa, Bonaberi and Village. Due to high crime stats, avoid staying at hotels in the Mount Manengouba and Jumeaux lakes areas.

Political Unrest

Avoid any demonstrations and large public gatherings. These situations can rapidly escalate and become violent. Public protests, demonstrations and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Civil unrest is possible in other parts of Cameroon. Curfews are sometimes imposed in parts of the country. There have been incidents of kidnapping and hostage taking in the Far North, North, Adamawa, East, North West and South West regions of Cameroon.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid travel to the following regions due to the high risk of kidnapping, banditry, extreme violence, and terrorism threats. High risk areas with unpredictable security conditions are: Far North region and Mayo-Louti Department in the North region;areas within 30 km of the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR);the North-West and South-West regions; North and Adamaoua regions; the Bakassi Peninsula; and the Gulf of Guinea.

The Boko Haram militant group has carried out deadly attacks in the Nigerian states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe, and Nigeria has declared a state of emergency in these states. Attacks by the Boko Haram and the Nigerian military operations, as well as militants crossing into Cameroon have affected security in the neighbouring areas with Cameroon.