Rwanda : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Rwanda may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.

Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Rwanda

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Rwanda (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• travelers’ diarrhea
• cholera
• malaria
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• schistosomiasis - found in fresh water
• typhoid fever
• yellow fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• Dengue fever
• filariasis
• leishmaniasis
• onchocerciasis
• trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
• Rift Valley fever
• HIV
• AIDS
• hepatitis B
• diptheria - endemic to the region
• Tuberculosis
• chickungunya

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Rwanda

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Rwanda compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving

Less Common Diseases and Health Concerns for Rwanda

The following health concerns or medical diseases are less commonly found in Rwanda compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• plague - risk for travelers is small

Vaccinations for Travel to Rwanda

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Rwanda to prevent contagious diseases in Rwanda:

• hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
• hepatitis B - if risk of exposure to blood/bodily fluid or medical treatment or if your stay will be longer than 6 months, all infants and children 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants
• rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• typhoid
• tetanus - booster dose as needed, diphtheria - booster as needed, measles - booster as needed, polio - one-time polio vaccine for adults

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Rwanda

Any health risk of travel to Rwanda may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Rwanda:

• Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed
• high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
• mosquito bite prevention
• insect bite protection
• avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
• eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
• to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized
• don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
• don’t drink beverages with ice
• don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized
• don’t share needles with anyone
• don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
• don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
• avoid crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Rwanda

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Rwanda:

• medical care is substandard
• there may be consular warnings against travel to the country
• check latest advice for updates