Sierra Leone

Recommended Vaccinations For Sierra Leone

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

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

The vaccination for yellow fever is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older. Sierra Leone requires all persons entering the country to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination.

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.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, 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.

Recommended Medications For Sierra Leone

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Sierra Leone

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Sierra Leone.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis A

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

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Sierra Leone, usually following heavy rainfall and flooding when water sources become contaminated.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Sierra Leone.

For Some Travellers

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

There is an increased risk for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors or visiting game parks. Travellers to urban areas not at 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)

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 Sierra Leone.

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Lassa fever through breathing in unsafe air, eating contaminated food with droppings of infected rats.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in the country 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.

Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever

Marburg hemorrhagic fever is caused by touching infected animals or their body fluids ; touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person or objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus.

Ebola Viral Disease

There is a risk of Ebola in Sierra Leone. Ebola is caused by coming into contact with body fluids from an infected person (alive or dead), such as blood, urine, saliva, and sweat, among others. Medical equipment contaminated with the body fluids of an infected person or a person who died of Ebola or Marburg also causes this disease.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Sierra Leone 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.

Measles

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

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of transmission of and exposure to yellow fever throughout Sierra Leone.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Sierra Leone are at risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Malaria

All areas are at high risk for malaria.

Typhoid Fever

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

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, 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 Sierra Leone

Personal Safety

With respect to your personal safety, be cautious and always be aware of your surroundings in Sierra Leone. Most travellers have no trouble in this country. The security situation in Sierra Leone has improved since the end of the civil war, however, the crime rate remains high due to poor economic conditions. Mugging and pickpocketing usually occurs in areas of Congo Cross, Wilkinson Road, Lumley Beach, Freetown, and Aberdeen.

Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing, is common in urban areas. Violent armed robberies and burglaries targeting expatriate and foreign officials’ homes also occur. Avoid showing signs of wealth and ensure that your personal belongings and travel documents are safe at all times. Avoid walking after dark and do not walk alone. Do not leave bags unattended.

Tourist facilities are limited and travellers should check the security at their accommodations before booking. Tourist facilities are rare in isolated areas and essential services may be unavailable outside the capital. Keep a supply of essential goods, like food and water, since shortages often occur. Telecommunications may also be unavailable at times.

There are strong currents at some beaches, and drownings have occurred. There are no lifeguards at beaches.

Avoid road travel outside the Freetown peninsula after dark.

Extreme Violence

While there is no recent history of terrorism in Sierra Leone, attacks can’t be ruled out. Such attacks are indiscriminate and terrorist groups usually are known to target beach resorts, hotels, cafés and restaurants visited by foreigners in the wider region.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations and public gatherings should be avoided as they can become violent. The political and security environment in Sierra Leone is fragile. Violent demonstrations took place in Freetown in August 2022. Clashes between protestors and security forces resulted in casualties. Civil unrest, public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Areas To Avoid

Due to armed conflicts between the military and militias and criminal activity, avoid areas bordering the countries of Liberia and Guinea.