Togo

Recommended Vaccinations For Togo

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

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.

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.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

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

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires all travellers 9 months of age and older to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

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).

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.

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 Togo

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 Togo

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

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

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Hepatitis B

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

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Cholera

Cholera has occurred in Togo.

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)

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.

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.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

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

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 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.

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring this virus in Togo by air or through consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected person or a rodent.

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.

Measles

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

Malaria

All areas of Togo are at high risk for malaria.

Meningitis

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

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Togo. Travellers to Togo 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.

Typhoid Fever

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

Yellow Fever

There is a risk for yellow fever in this country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Togo 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.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Togo. 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 Togo

Personal Safety

Togo authorities warn of an increase in crime in Togo, including violent crime targeting both citizens and foreigners. Some attacks have occurred with weapons, including firearms and machetes. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and other theft is common, especially in beach and market areas. People have been attacked during the day or night. Be vigilant and stay with a group. Authorities recommend that you enter or exit public places with a group. Avoid beach areas, day or night, where there is no security.

Always be alert to your surroundings and personal safety. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Only carry as much cash as you need.

Theft while using taxis does occur. Do not share taxi rides with strangers. Negotiate before you get into the taxi and insist that the driver not stop for additional passengers.

Carjackings do occur. Drivers should stop only for individuals in uniform, particularly after dark. Avoid travelling alone if possible even within Lomé city limits, especially after dark.

Do not travel outside Lomé at night, and if possible, travel in a convoy of at least two cars. Roads can be hazardous. There are reports that people have been killed resisting a carjacking. It may be better not to resist an attack.

Swimming in the ocean can be dangerous due to very strong currents and undertows, and many people drown every year.

It is illegal to photograph any government-affiliated place or personnel, such as government buildings, police or military areas, airports, police or military personnel. Government-related locations may not be marked.

There are heavy penalties for the purchase or use of illicit drugs.

There are heavy penalties for same-sex relationships or behaviours in Togo. Consular support is limited in Togo.

Extreme Violence

There is a risk of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.
Although there have been no terrorist attacks in the recent past, the threat of terrorism cannot be ruled out.

Political Unrest

In Togo, political demonstrations, rallies and strikes have occurred, and at times, these situations have turned violent. Avoid all public gatherings or demonstrations.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all travel to within 30 km of the border with Burkina Faso, due to military operations, terrorism and kidnapping, including the cities of Dapaong, Cinkassé, Korbongou, Kong, Mandouri and Nadioum.

Exercise Increased Caution in areas north of Kande due to the potential for terrorism and the cities of Sokodé, Bafilo, and Mango due to civil unrest.

Avoid the public beach area in Lomé at night, particularly around the Hotel Sarakawa and Boulevard du Mono (“beach road”). Theft occurs regularly in the Lomé market areas, along the beaches, particularly where there is no security. Avoid going alone to the Grand Marché area during the day, and avoid the area completely at night.