Somalia

Recommended Vaccinations For Somalia

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

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.

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 may be required to show proof of polio vaccination taken 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination 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.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

**Vaccination is generally not recommended for travel to the following regions: Bakool, Banaadir, Bay, Gado, Galgadud, Hiran, Lower Juba, Middle Juba, Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle. Vaccination may be considered for a small subset of travellers (aged 9 months to less than 60 years of age) to some areas who are at increased risk because of prolonged travel or heavy exposure to mosquito bites. Vaccination is not recommended for all other areas not listed above.**

Recommended Medications For Somalia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Chloroquine resistance is widespread. The recommended anti-malaria medication is mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Somalia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

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

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Somalia. 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 B

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

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

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 this country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

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.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in this country. 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 Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was 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.

Malaria

There is a high risk of malaria in Somalia.

Yellow Fever

There is a low risk of yellow fever transmission in some areas of Somalia.

Typhoid Fever

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

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Somalia. 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.

Rabies

Rabies has been reported in domestic and wild animals in Somalia. Bats may carry rabies-like viruses. Rabies transmission may occur following contact with the saliva of an infected domestic animal or bat (via bites or scratches or saliva contact with mucous membranes). Bites from bats are frequently unrecognised. The risk of exposure is increased by the type of activity (e.g. running, cycling), occupation (e.g. veterinarians) and for those staying in this country for long periods.

Safety & Security in Somalia

Personal Safety

Violent and deadly crime and lawlessness is common in Somalia. Many countries advise citizens to avoid all travel to Somalia and advise that this country is not safe for tourism. There is a very high threat of terrorist attack. Kidnapping and armed robberies are common. Westerners and those working for international organisations are also at risk throughout the country. There is anti-Western sentiment in Somalia that can lead to violent harassment of westerners, including those who have family in Somalia.

The risk of kidnappings and robberies is country-wide, but particularly high in Mogadishu and the autonomous states of Somaliland and Puntland.

Armed conflict between gangs or clans occurs.

Exercise extreme caution if travelling by sea around Somalia’s coast due to the threat of piracy or hijacking.

Extreme Violence

There is a high risk of terrorist attacks in Somalia. Government buildings, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs, public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and resorts, and other sites frequented by foreigners could be targeted. In the past, attacks also took place at the Aden Adde International Airport.

Political Unrest

Political tension is high in Somalia. Minimize safety risk in any country by avoiding public and political gatherings and demonstrations since even peaceful protests can quickly and unexpectedly become violent.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all travel in Somalia due to the extremely volatile security situation.