Travel health in Uganda Updated Guide in 2022
What travel vaccinations for Uganda
Yellow delivery vaccinations are not only mandatory for those entering Uganda. They also make sense as disease outbreaks keep coming back. In addition to a fully completed and up-to-date vaccination certificate, travelers are also advised to protect themselves against hepatitis A, for long-term stays and special contacts with the local population (e.g. as part of an aid organization project), hepatitis B, as well as against meningococcal disease (ACWY), typhoid and rabies get vaccinated. Rabies vaccine in particular is not immediately available in every country (even in Germany there may be a shortage of vaccines) and in this case time is literally money.
Anyone who takes part in one of the popular gorilla or chimpanzee tracking must also meet certain health requirements and keep their vaccination certificate up to date. Human infections can be fatal to primate animals.
A cholera vaccination is recommended for Uganda travelers, as the diarrheal diseases can occur sporadically and not only locally. A typhoid vaccination also makes sense, as cases occasionally occur in Uganda, most recently in the east of the country in the Bukwo district. Consistent food and drinking water hygiene is important in order to avoid this: only drink beverages from sealed bottles and avoid unpeeled and raw foods.
Zika virus in Uganda
An infection with the Zika virus is basically possible in Uganda – it is only dangerous for pregnant women and women who are planning a pregnancy or who are not using contraception. If infected, there is a risk of an early childhood malformation. The only protection is to apply mosquito repellent all day to avoid bites. Even after returning home, both partners should be examined for a possible Zika infection. Pregnant women (in Germany) should also not have sexual intercourse with returnees from Zika outbreak areas without a condom. Because the virus is sexually transmitted.
Health tips and travel medicine for Uganda
Bathing in stagnant (freshwater) waters as well as in the Nile should be taboo (risk of infection with schistosomiasis), regardless of what other bodies say
Infection with the yellow fever virus is a risk during the day through ticks and through contact with the blood and meat of infected animals (vaccination is recommended)
Ebola infections can be transmitted by field mice and their meat: be careful when visiting bat caves in Fort Portal in western Uganda and the Queen Elizabeth National Park
